Traumatic Stress
What is trauma?
Trauma is a psychological response to an experience or event that is perceived as overwhelming, frightening, or life-threatening. Traumatic events can vary widely and may include physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, accidents, war, the sudden death of a loved one, or emotional abuse or neglect. Trauma can affect individuals in different ways, and the symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the trauma and the individual's personal experiences and coping mechanisms.
What does post-traumatic stress look like?
Traumatic stress can look different in different individuals and can manifest in a variety of ways. However, some common symptoms of traumatic stress include:
Intrusive thoughts or memories: This can include unwanted, distressing thoughts or memories of the traumatic event that may feel like they are happening again.
Avoidance: Individuals may try to avoid anything that reminds them of the traumatic event, such as people, places, or activities.
Hypervigilance: This can include feeling constantly on edge, easily startled, or feeling like there is a constant threat or danger.
Emotional numbness: Individuals may feel emotionally detached or numb, and may have difficulty feeling pleasure or happiness.
Negative changes in mood or thinking: This can include negative beliefs about oneself or the world, feeling guilty or ashamed, or feeling hopeless or helpless.
Physical symptoms: Traumatic stress can also cause physical symptoms, such as headaches, stomachaches, and other stress-related ailments.
These symptoms can be severe and long-lasting, and can significantly impact an individual's ability to function in daily life.
How do you treat post-traumatic stress?
There are several treatment options available for traumatic stress, and the most effective treatment may vary depending on the individual's specific needs and the severity of their symptoms.
Therapy can help individuals process their experiences and develop healthy coping mechanisms. Psychodynamic therapy focuses on exploring the root causes of the issue, whether they be the known traumatic event or something that made the individual more vulnerable to the trauma in the first place. It also emphasizes building a context of safety and trust. Trauma can cause individuals to feel a sense of mistrust or disconnection from others. Psychodynamic therapy can help individuals develop a sense of safety and trust, both in themselves and in their relationships with others. Trauma can impact an individual's ability to form and maintain healthy relationships. Psychodynamic therapy can help individuals explore any interpersonal issues that may be contributing to their symptoms and work to develop healthier relationship patterns.
Other forms of therapy include:
Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT is a type of therapy that focuses on identifying and changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. CBT can be effective in treating trauma-related disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a therapy that uses guided eye movements to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce the emotional distress associated with them.
Prolonged exposure therapy (PE): PE is a therapy that involves exposing individuals to the memories and situations that trigger their trauma-related symptoms in a safe and controlled environment.
Trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT): TF-CBT is a type of therapy that is specifically designed for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. TF-CBT involves a combination of CBT, exposure therapy, and other techniques.