Understanding Trauma and Why You Need Trauma Therapy

What is Trauma?

In a nutshell, trauma is a reflection of what is happening in our body after having experienced or been exposed to an impactful and troublesome event. It is the intense emotional and psychological reaction that remains stored in our bodies and activates when triggered, suppressing your awareness of what is happening in the present. In other words, you feel unsafe, almost like you are reexperiencing the event, and your coping abilities collapse. Trauma affects our bodies (how we feel), our brains (how we think), and our behavior (how we act). Understanding what trauma is and how it impacts you personally is key to your recovery.

There are three main types of trauma: Acute, Chronic, or Complex

Acute trauma results from a single incident such as a major car accident, school violence, natural disaster, etc.

Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged such as war, domestic violence or abuse, community conflicts, etc.

Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature.

One disorder that may develop following a traumatic experience is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Symptoms of PTSD include:

• Intrusive memories, occurring as involuntary nightmares and thoughts, that evoke an intense emotional response

• Efforts to avoid thoughts, feelings or memories associated with the traumatic incident

• Evading places, people, events and activities that may arouse thoughts or memories of the incident

• Chronic negativity concerning the event through distorted remembrance, manifesting as intense anger, resentment, self-blame, or guilt

• Hyperarousal over triggers by overreacting to situations resembling the trauma, actively searching for danger or threats, diminished cognition, poor sleep, and an exaggerated startled response

• Changes in behavior, attitude, and worldview

• Social withdrawal

• Increased anxiety and depression

• Substance misuse and other risky behaviors as maladaptive ways to cope

• Changes in memory and concentration

The impactful event does not have to happen to you directly for it to be traumatic. It could involve you witnessing an event occurring to others or you learning about a traumatic event experienced firsthand by a loved one. Repeated exposure to distressful situations can also trigger trauma.

Seek Trauma Therapy Today

The goal of trauma therapy is not to have you “forget about it entirely”. Your intricate and beautiful mind does not work that way. However, trauma therapy will help you develop skills and strategies that will assist you in better understanding, coping with, and processing emotions and memories tied to your unique traumatic experience. The goal is to help you create a healthier and adaptive meaning of the experience that took place. The burden of your traumatic experience does not need to continue weighing you down. It’s on the other side of vulnerability that you can find freedom. Working with a therapist provides guidance, support, and accountability to help you face your giant.