Trauma is the emotional and psychological response to a distressing or life-changing event. This can include experiences such as accidents, natural disasters, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, exposure to violence, medical emergencies, or other situations that feel overwhelming or threatening. Trauma affects the way people think, feel, and respond to the world, and its effects can be immediate or appear over time. Trauma occurs when your mind and body react to an experience that you perceive as harmful or threatening.
While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends and bounce back with resiliency, others may discover the effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or posttraumatic stress far after the event has passed. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, and symptoms can vary widely from person to person.
In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist are fundamental to healing from trauma. Therapy can provide a supportive environment to process these experiences, reduce distress, and regain a sense of control.
Trauma Symptoms
According to the four types of symptoms listed in the DSM-5-TR.
Avoidance Symptoms
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
- Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt
Re-experiencing Symptoms
- Intrusive thoughts, nightmares, or flashbacks
Hyperarousal Symptoms
- Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
- Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
- Sleep disturbances
Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms
- Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
- Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
- Change in habits or behavior since the trauma
Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. Therapy provides a space to process traumatic experiences and learn coping strategies. Evidence-based approaches like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), and Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) can help individuals work toward healing, regain a sense of safety, and rebuild confidence in daily life.
If you or a loved one are experiencing any of the symptoms described above, support is available. I invite you to reach out today to schedule a free consultation and take the first step toward healing and well-being.