Most people will experience trauma in their lifetime whether it’s a car accident, abuse or neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster. Sadly, half of all rapes occur in the girls before the age of 15 years old, According to ‘The Body Keeps the Score’ by Bessel Van Der Kolk, MD. Imagine having experienced trauma by the age of 15 years old. It’s shocking to process.
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 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.
In these circumstances, the support, guidance and assistance of a therapist is fundamental to healing from trauma.
Trauma Symptoms
According to the four types of symptoms listed in the DSM-5
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
Trauma stops creativity; disallowing mental flexibility because we feel and get stuck in our traumas. How does this impact our lives. Well usually imagination lets us leave our routines, things that makes life interesting, and without imagination, it may feel like there is no hope, no ability to dream about a brighter future, a different relationship, changes in our lives. Trauma victims often struggle with bridging the gap between their trauma and their current lives.
Research has proven psychotherapy to be the most effective form of treatment for trauma. Most commonly, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are used in treating trauma. For real change to take place, the body has to realize the danger has passed and understand the reality of the present and this can be done through these types of therapy.
If you or someone you know match the trauma symptoms listed above, I am confident that I can help and invite you to contact me today for a free consultation.