Trauma

What is Trauma?

Trauma is the result of experiencing an event or series of events that can cause physical, emotional or life threatening harm. Traumatic experiences can include, but aren’t limited to: domestic violence, abuse, acts of war, natural disasters, car accidents, industrial/work accidents, severe injuries, or regular exposure to violence or the results of a traumatic experience in the line of duty for soldiers, doctors, firefighters, paramedics, and the police.

Seeking treatment after a traumatic event is important. Learning to process trauma in a healthy manner can reduce the likelihood of long-term mental health problems.

Psychologically speaking, trauma is sometimes described as a psychic wound. If left unattended, the wound can fester or heal improperly. The result can range from a lasting mental scar to a severe infection – or more concretely, different forms of trauma-related mental health problems.

Forms of Trauma and Trauma Disorders

Experiencing trauma can be linked to several different mental health conditions. These include:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder is a severe mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is characterized by symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

Acute Stress Disorder

Acute Stress Disorder occurs in response to a traumatic event and shares many symptoms with PTSD, but it is typically short-term, lasting from three days to one month after the trauma. If symptoms persist beyond a month, the condition may be reclassified as PTSD.

Complex PTSD

Complex PTSD arises from prolonged exposure to trauma, such as ongoing abuse or captivity, and includes the symptoms of PTSD along with additional issues like emotional regulation difficulties, negative self-perception, and relationship problems. It often results from severe, repeated trauma over months or years.

Dissociative Disorders

Dissociative Disorders are a group of conditions that involve disruptions or breakdowns in memory, awareness, identity, or perception, often as a response to severe trauma. These disorders can include dissociative amnesia, dissociative identity disorder (previously known as multiple personality disorder), and depersonalization-derealization disorder.

Attachment Disorder

Attachment Disorders, such as Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD), usually develop in childhood because of severe neglect, abuse, or abrupt separation from primary caregivers. They manifest as difficulties in forming healthy emotional attachments and relationships.

Adjustment Disorder

Adjustment Disorder is an emotional or behavioral reaction to a stressful event or change, such as divorce or job loss, that occurs within three months of the event. Symptoms can include anxiety, depression, and difficulty coping with daily activities.

Borderline Personality Disorder

Borderline Personality Disorder (“BPD”) is a complex mental health condition often linked to trauma, characterized by instability in moods, behavior, self-image, and functioning. People with BPD may experience intense episodes of anger, depression, and anxiety that can last from a few hours to days.

How Trauma Is Treated at Resolutions

There are several treatment options for addressing trauma. Trauma-specific talk therapy methods utilize unique frameworks to minimize reactivity, and help process memories and their respective emotions to help a person’s psyche move on, and let go. Trauma treatment at Resolutions can include modalities such as brainspotting, EMDR, cognitive-behavioral therapy, art therapy, and much more. Get in touch with us today to learn more about how our bespoke trauma treatment programs can help you or your loved ones.