What is Trauma really?
We've all heard of psychological trauma, but what is it really? Psychological trauma (let’s just say trauma going forward) is a response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that leaves a person feeling overwhelmed, immobile, and alone.
Trauma has the potential to cause psychological harm. It can be physical, emotional, or mental.
Many people think of car accidents, natural disasters, combat, and sexual violence when they think of trauma. But it can also be something like being the victim of abuse, witnessing a violent crime and even betrayal from a deeply trusted partner.
If you've experienced something traumatic, you may feel scared, alone, and helpless. But there are things you can do to heal and move forward after a traumatic event.
Defining trauma - what it is and what it isn't
Trauma is what happens when your brain gets so overwhelmed that it gets stuck for a time. That can leave long-term scars on one's psyche.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder occurs in a small percentage of us who experience a traumatic event and the brain gets locked-in on stuck. PTSD sufferers experience intrusive thoughts, an edginess, warped thoughts and emotions about the event, and chronic avoidance of the memory.
In more scientific terms, trauma is defined by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) as a response to a terrible event, whether it be a physically violent event or an emotionally charged experience; trauma tends to affect individuals who are exposed to events outside the realm of ‘normal’ human experience.
It is important to distinguish trauma from other life difficulties, such as grief and depression; trauma is not only overwhelming but sometimes unsustainable for those who have experienced it. Recognizing trauma for what it is can help individuals understand the magnitude of the situation, which can in turn lead to better healing measures.
The different types of trauma
Trauma comes in many forms. It can be hard to acknowledge or even recognize the different events that can contribute to it.
Violence, death, abuse, and betrayal are just some of the tragic events that may cause trauma.
When these occur in a person's life, they may emotionally shut down, feel overwhelmed by fear or sadness, and struggle to find a sense of normalcy. Trauma is often very personal and can have both physical and mental repercussions that can follow us through our entire lives.
It's essential to acknowledge trauma as soon as possible so we can actively help ourselves process our experiences and take steps towards healing from them.
The effects of trauma on the mind and body
Trauma can have an overwhelming effect on an individual, stretching far beyond the physical. Wounds to the mind can be just as damaging - often more so - than wounds to the body.
When something traumatic happens, it can cause feelings of confusion, fear and distress that are difficult to cope with and that no amount of time alone can heal.
This type of pain may show up in a variety of ways such as nightmares, guilt, shame or avoidance behaviors resulting in difficulty coping with everyday life and in issues with vital relationships.
It is important for those struggling with the effects of trauma to seek help from mental health professionals who understand their needs and are capable of helping them work through these experiences. There is hope, but understanding how trauma affects individuals is essential towards finding a way forward.
How to heal from trauma
Healing from trauma can be incredibly challenging, and it's important to remember that it may have different effects on different people.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) has been researched to be an effective way to tackle the process of healing from trauma! CPT focuses on helping individuals to change their thinking related to a traumatic event and explore their feelings towards the event in an effort to challenge their current beliefs in a safe environment.
As they work through this process, individuals learn how to recognize reality, accept that reality, and develop healthier ways of responding.
It takes courage and patience to heal, but there are professionals equipped with the right tools and resources who can help!
Call Me
If you’ve experienced a traumatic event and notice from that trauma intrusive thoughts, edginess or irritability, unresolving feelings of guilt or anger, and active avoidance of things that remind of you of the event … please … give me a call.
I’ve been trained to help you process your trauma and relieve these symptoms. You don’t have to face it alone. And I won’t make you relive the horror.
We can work together towards making a trauma an integrated part of your past.
Click here to call me now for a free 15-minute consultation, or hit the button below to schedule that conversation.
