Trauma is a broad term for experiences that trigger a powerful, negative response in the brain and body. It can be anything from a major injury to a childhood abuse situation that rewires the mind and leads to mental health problems.
When a person experiences a trauma, the amygdala in the brain responds by activating the sympathetic nervous system and triggering the fight-or-flight response. Symptoms may subside over time, but for some, PTSD develops that can interfere with everyday life and relationships.
Trauma is a term for many emotional and physical symptoms after a stressful event. Some people experience trauma symptoms after just a few days or months, while others have more long-term effects.
A traumatic event can disrupt your sense of safety and leave you feeling vulnerable or unsafe, such as war, natural disasters, and major illnesses or accidents. It also can include sexual assault or other interpersonal violence.
Many trauma survivors find talking about their experiences with a therapist or other support group helpful. These sessions often focus on the process of healing from trauma and how to cope with stressful events in the future.
Psychotherapy options such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) effectively reduce anxiety, depression, and other symptoms. Other therapies, such as hypnosis, mindfulness, and trauma-sensitive yoga, can also help. Medications can also be used to make symptoms less intense and to manage stress.
You may feel various symptoms if you’ve experienced a traumatic event. These can include flashbacks, nightmares, hyperarousal, and feelings of grief. Traumatic events can have significant and lasting effects on a person’s mental health and life. They can also affect how an individual relates to others and their ability to function at work and in their community.
Most people respond to trauma in a variety of ways. Their reactions are affected by their own experiences, the availability of natural supports and healers, coping and life skills, and the responses of immediate family and community members.
Survivors can have reactions that are normal and socially acceptable, or they can have more severe reactions that are characterized by chronic distress, dissociation, intrusive recollections, and other signs of psychopathology. These responses are called PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder and can cause problems in an individual’s life. They can also lead to substance abuse, which can worsen the symptoms of PTSD and depression.
While most people who experience trauma do not have long-term consequences, some develop symptoms that can be debilitating and distressing. While a traumatic event may trigger some of these symptoms, others may relate to how you handle stressful situations or events in your life. Some even get a bit of both; the best part is that they can learn how to manage their symptoms. For some, extra attention to their mental health can make all the difference in the world. Often, a person with PTSD has a history of violence in their family or is dealing with chronic stress, a medical condition, or both. Regardless of the cause, if you are having problems coping with stressful life events, it may be time to seek help from a professional. A therapist who specializes in trauma can help you navigate your way through the maze that is your mind and your emotions.
Traumatic stress is an emotional response to a life-threatening event, like military combat, sexual assault or a natural disaster. It can also be triggered by life events, such as the death of a loved one or divorce.
Shock and disbelief are normal reactions to traumatic events, but they can also get so intense that they interfere with everyday living and lead to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Many people with PTSD have reliving thoughts and memories that cause them great distress. They may have flashbacks or nightmares or feel a strong need to avoid places and people that remind them of the traumatic event.
Those with PTSD may be more likely to feel intense rage or guilt when they think about the event. They may also experience a distorted view of themselves, others and the world. Treatments for PTSD often include cognitive restructuring, which helps people reevaluate their thoughts and beliefs about the traumatic event.
When a person experiences a trauma, the amygdala in the brain responds by activating the sympathetic nervous system and triggering the fight-or-flight response. Symptoms may subside over time, but for some, PTSD develops that can interfere with everyday life and relationships.
Trauma is a term for many emotional and physical symptoms after a stressful event. Some people experience trauma symptoms after just a few days or months, while others have more long-term effects.
A traumatic event can disrupt your sense of safety and leave you feeling vulnerable or unsafe, such as war, natural disasters, and major illnesses or accidents. It also can include sexual assault or other interpersonal violence.
Many trauma survivors find talking about their experiences with a therapist or other support group helpful. These sessions often focus on the process of healing from trauma and how to cope with stressful events in the future.
Psychotherapy options such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) effectively reduce anxiety, depression, and other symptoms. Other therapies, such as hypnosis, mindfulness, and trauma-sensitive yoga, can also help. Medications can also be used to make symptoms less intense and to manage stress.
You may feel various symptoms if you’ve experienced a traumatic event. These can include flashbacks, nightmares, hyperarousal, and feelings of grief. Traumatic events can have significant and lasting effects on a person’s mental health and life. They can also affect how an individual relates to others and their ability to function at work and in their community.
Most people respond to trauma in a variety of ways. Their reactions are affected by their own experiences, the availability of natural supports and healers, coping and life skills, and the responses of immediate family and community members.
Survivors can have reactions that are normal and socially acceptable, or they can have more severe reactions that are characterized by chronic distress, dissociation, intrusive recollections, and other signs of psychopathology. These responses are called PTSD, posttraumatic stress disorder and can cause problems in an individual’s life. They can also lead to substance abuse, which can worsen the symptoms of PTSD and depression.
While most people who experience trauma do not have long-term consequences, some develop symptoms that can be debilitating and distressing. While a traumatic event may trigger some of these symptoms, others may relate to how you handle stressful situations or events in your life. Some even get a bit of both; the best part is that they can learn how to manage their symptoms. For some, extra attention to their mental health can make all the difference in the world. Often, a person with PTSD has a history of violence in their family or is dealing with chronic stress, a medical condition, or both. Regardless of the cause, if you are having problems coping with stressful life events, it may be time to seek help from a professional. A therapist who specializes in trauma can help you navigate your way through the maze that is your mind and your emotions.
Traumatic stress is an emotional response to a life-threatening event, like military combat, sexual assault or a natural disaster. It can also be triggered by life events, such as the death of a loved one or divorce.
Shock and disbelief are normal reactions to traumatic events, but they can also get so intense that they interfere with everyday living and lead to a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Many people with PTSD have reliving thoughts and memories that cause them great distress. They may have flashbacks or nightmares or feel a strong need to avoid places and people that remind them of the traumatic event.
Those with PTSD may be more likely to feel intense rage or guilt when they think about the event. They may also experience a distorted view of themselves, others and the world. Treatments for PTSD often include cognitive restructuring, which helps people reevaluate their thoughts and beliefs about the traumatic event.