A trauma is a deeply distressing event or experience that results in an intense emotional response (e.g., shock, denial, fear, anger, sadness). These events or experiences might include natural disasters, deaths of loved ones, auto accidents, being the victim of a crime, childhood abuse, domestic violence, or experiencing repeated or extreme exposure to aversive details of trauma (e.g., first responders; medical doctors; and mental health clinicians).
Examples of common symptoms in response to trauma include:
- Re-living the event
- Avoidance of people, places, situations or activities that remind you of the trauma
- Negative changes in your beliefs
- Negative changes in feelings about yourself and/or the world
- Reduction in trust
- Feeling on the lookout for danger
- Being jumpy and/or easily startled
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability in interpersonal interactions
The Path to Recovery
Most people have some stress-related symptoms in response to trauma. However, when individuals have trouble moving on from trauma, a therapist can help with addressing the stuck points and improving management of responses to reminders. Effective treatment can include:
- Talk therapy
- Exposure therapy
- Learning grounding techniques
- Engaging mindfulness skills
- Growing social supports
- Increasing community engagement
Book a consultation today with Q Psych. Call (484) 401-9646 or book a consultation online.
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