Trauma

what is trauma

When we talk about trauma, most people can identify what it is without giving an exact definition. The official definition according to the American Psychological Association is, “Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event…”

This can be from:

• Physical harm

• Emotional harm

• Life-threatening harm

Here’s a great video that gives a brief overview of trauma: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uraDbhfFvsk

symptoms right after trauma

Traumatic events can lead to various responses. For a month after a single major event, a person is likely still processing what happened and may experience the following:

• Nightmares

• Confusion

• Difficulty making decisions

• Rapid heart beat

• Fatigue

• Insomnia

• Poor concentration

• Forgetfulness

• Survivor guilt

• Helplessness

• Withdrawal/Isolation

• Numbness

Ongoing Symptoms of Unresolved Trauma

Whether months or years ago, traumatic experiences take up residence in our memories and in our bodies. Sometimes, people may not even realize they experienced trauma or that they are still suffering the ongoing effects. Some of these might be:

• Tension

• Difficulty connecting with others

• Flashbacks

• Nightmares

• Numbness

• Dissociation

• Fibromyalgia or ongoing muscle/joint pain

• Easy startle reflex

• Hypervigilance

• Reliving the event

• Hopelessness

• Poor memory

• Overwhelming guilt or shame

• Avoidance of places/people/things related to the event

If you find yourself curious about these symptoms and whether or not they might warrant further investigation in your own life, a quiz is available here: https://www.mendingtrauma.com/traumaquiz

Types of Trauma

The counseling world looks at trauma in varying degrees. You may have heard the terms “Big T Trauma” and “little t trauma.”

Big T Trauma

Happens when a major event leaves a person feeling completely or almost completely powerless. Bodily harm or the threat of bodily harm and/or death that result in ongoing symptoms listed above. An event like this might be:

• Sexual Assault

• Physical Assault

• War

• Child Abuse or Neglect

• Natural Disaster

• Bullying

• Witnessing traumatic death and/or any of the above

little t trauma

Distressing events that may not lead to PTSD levels of symptoms, but still have lasting effects that cause emotional and bodily disturbances.

• A series of minorly distressing events repeated many times, especially in a short span of time, can have the same effect as one major event.

• Infidelity

• Divorce

• Death in the family

• Financial Issues

• Feeling Unloved as a Child

• Emotional Abuse

• Ongoing stress

what can be done?

The good news is that many symptoms of trauma can be resolved. The time and work necessary for this varies widely and can depend on the length and severity of the trauma, among other factors. Therapy with a licensed counselor can be highly effective. Specifically, therapies like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Accelerated Resolution Therapy (ART), and Neurofeedback, among others, have been shown to produce significant results in the reduction of symptoms related to trauma.

If you’re curious, here’s a great video that explains EMDR: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IPsBPH2M1U

BOOK NOW with one of our EMDR or ART trained therapists.

in the meantime:

If you suffer from any of the symptoms above, there are some simple exercises that can help you regulate your nervous system. Breathing, grounding, and progressive muscle relaxation are all powerful tools that can help bring calm, especially when used as a regular practice.

For some short guided videos, here are some options:

4-4-6 breathing: