Trauma
Trauma is a complex, dynamic experience that can profoundly impact individuals on physical, emotional, and psychological levels.
Defined by the American Psychological Association as an emotional response to a distressing event, trauma can stem from a wide array of sources.
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When we experience trauma, we often are overcome with physical or emotional stress that our brain is not able to adequately “digest.” This can cause our nervous systems to become hyper-aroused. Staying in this high-alert state for too long can lead to feeling frozen, paralyzed, numb, or in an endless loop of fight or flight symptoms.
In one of these fight, flight, or freeze states, your brain's biology causes the deeper parts of your mind to respond as if the trauma is still happening, causing you to shut down or escape the “dangerous” situation. Oftentimes, the trauma response is caused by a distressing event from the past that your brain and body have not fully processed. As a result, your emotions, thinking, relationships, behavior, and even physical health are all impacted.
Navigating the path to healing, together
Trauma is impacted by other factors such as age when trauma occurred, cultural background, and existing mental health conditions, all which can further complicate its influence. Finding a therapist who practices from a trauma informed lens is a great first step in addressing your trauma and related symptoms. Our therapists at Resilience Therapy prioritize safety, trust, and empowerment in supporting our clients on their journey toward healing.
The effects of trauma can linger long after the initial event, manifesting in various ways including:
Unexpected Reminders: Sudden feelings that the traumatic event is recurring.
Flashbacks: Intense, vivid reliving of the trauma as if it's happening now.
Nightmares: Disruptive dreams filled with images from the traumatic event.
Avoidance: Shunning places or people linked to the trauma.
Mood Swings: Abrupt and intense emotional changes.
Feeling Numb: A sense of detachment from life and routine activities.
Hyper-vigilance: A constant state of alertness for potential threats.
Concentration Issues: Difficulty focusing on daily tasks.
Irritability: Minor triggers causing severe anger.
Persistent Sadness: Ongoing feelings of sadness or emptiness.
Physical Symptoms: Unexplained headaches or stomach pain
Reclaim your life. Rediscover your resilience
More Healing Options at Resilience Therapy
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Anxiety
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