Trauma

Trauma results from exposure to an incident or series of events that are emotionally disturbing or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being.

• Experiences that may be traumatic include:
• Physical/sexual/emotional abuse
• Childhood neglect
• Separation from a loved one
• Living with a family member with a mental illness or substance use disorder
• Poverty
• Racisim or discrimination
• Witnessing or experiencing violence in the community/war/terrorism

The impact of trauma can affect some or all areas of an individual's life including:

Emotions: Sadness, Anger, Denial, Shame, Fear

Which can lead to: Nightmares, insomnia, difficulty in relationships, emotional outbursts

Physical symptoms: Nausea, dizziness, changes in appetite, headaches, gastrointestinal problems

Psychological disorders: Depression, anxiety, dissociation, post-traumatic stress disorder, substance use.

 

Trauma has no boundaries and can impact individuals of all ages, races, ethnicities, genders, socioeconomic status, and sexual orientations. According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, at least 70% of adults have experienced some form of trauma throughout their lives. Fortunately, there are therapeutic treatment models designed to assist individuals struggling to cope with symptoms of trauma.

These models include:

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)
• Trauma Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT)
• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)

For more information and resources regarding trauma, please go to the links listed below: