Trauma causes severe distress and impairs one’s ability to effectively meet life’s and everyday challenges. The American Psychological Association defines trauma as:
An emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer-term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.
Psychological trauma is damage to the mind that occurs because of a distressing event. Trauma is often the result of an overwhelming amount of stress that exceeds one’s ability to cope, or integrate the emotions involved with that experience trauma is damage to the mind that occurs as a result of a distressing event. Trauma is often the result of an overwhelming amount of stress that exceeds one’s ability to cope or integrate the emotions involved with that experience.
Signs you are suffering from a traumatic event
A traumatic event can cause a number of different symptoms in a person. These symptoms can create both mental and physical discomfort for the individual affected by trauma. Recognizing and what those symptoms are is the first step for dealing with them effectively. Some signs you or a loved one are suffering from a serious traumatic event include:
- You find yourself replaying the incident. It is very common for victims who have gone through a traumatic experience the replay the incident in their mind. This is common both while asleep and while awake. This is a common form of flashbacks and can be very stressful.
- Emotional spikes often happen and are intense feelings that can take over every aspect of a person.
- Many people “cope” by going out of their way to avoid anything that is connected with the incident including blocking it from their thoughts, avoiding places, or people related to the event.
- Many people may experience heightened nerves. They may be constantly on alert or becomes startled easily.
How to Overcome Traumatic Events
- Get physically active: Keeping up with your physical well being is very important when you are suffering from a traumatic event. Exercising releases hormones called endorphins and enkephalins. These are known as the happy hormones and will help you reduce stress and relax.
- Understand your triggers: A trigger can be anything to a person; a place, a sound, a sight. It could even be a date like an anniversary. Sometimes it is unavoidable to run into your triggers in your life, so it is best to know what causes your anxiety. This will help the best to prepare for it in the future. It is also important to take the time to understand what your triggers are because they can cause stress, flashbacks, and panic.
- Talk to your loved ones: For a lot of people, talking about a traumatic event can be awfully hard, but bottling up your emotions can cause more problems down the line. Talking with a family member or friend can be helpful because they are someone you already trust.
- Get a good night’s sleep: A lack of sleep can cause increased amounts of irritability, stress, and anger in a person. Some ways to increase sleep is sleeping in a comforting environment and avoiding caffeine too late in the day.
- Find professional help: The most effective way to overcome a traumatic event is to speak to a mental health professional, such as a counselor or psychotherapist. They can offer different kinds of therapy such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. Talking with an unbiased party can be very helpful at getting passed whatever is holding you back. It is very common for people to develop PTSD after a traumatic event. Professional help is more common than you may think.
Trauma therapy offers an opportunity to heal
At the Counseling Center for Growth and Recovery, we offer a solution-motivated approach where we can explore, in a safe way, your challenges in life. Dealing with trauma isn’t an easy thing to face, especially without proper support. Luckily you do not have to face it on your own. We are ready to help you or a loved one overcome the pains and struggles in your life every step of the way. Now is the time to get the help you need. Let us help you do it.
