Trauma

I feel different from other people and like no one understands me.

I feel guilty and ashamed.

I blame myself for what happened to me.

I dismiss my feelings and don’t want to think about what happened.

I tell myself it wasn’t that bad.

I feel like it happened yesterday.

I have complicated feelings about the person or people who hurt me.

I am afraid something bad is about to happen.

I don’t trust myself or other people.

I feel uncomfortable with intimacy.

I feel hopeless when I think about my abilities and future.

I feel detached from my body.

I have strong reactions and outbursts when I feel overwhelmed.

Trauma can leave a person feeling scared, broken and forever altered. A traumatic event is commonly defined as an exposure to death, injury or sexual violence, but trauma is much broader. Any experience that threatens our sense of safety, physically or emotionally, is traumatic and can impact our lives profoundly. The experience may have occurred recently or in the past, once or repeatedly, but its aftermath usually causes unwanted thoughts, feelings and reactions. Additionally, the world may seem unpredictable, unsafe and bad resulting in anxiety, distrust, sadness and feelings of powerlessness. Although there is a strong pull to avoid the pain, healing occurs by receiving support, processing our experience and connecting with our resilience.

What are some common trauma-related disorders?

Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

Acute Stress Disorder

What are some general symptoms of trauma?

Distressing and intrusive memories

Inability to remember aspects of traumatic event

Difficulty falling and staying asleep, restless sleep

Dreams or nightmares

Psychological distress to trigger(s)

Physiological reactions to trigger(s)

Flashbacks

Persistent negative emotional state

Persistent inability to experience positive emotions

Exaggerated negative beliefs about oneself, others or the world

Diminished interest in activities

Feeling detached from others

Emotional numbness

Dissociation

Distorted blame of self or others

Avoidance of reminders of traumatic event

Irritable behavior, angry outbursts, aggression

Reckless or self-destructive behavior

Hyper-vigilance

Being easily startled

Problems with concentration

How can therapy help trauma?

In therapy you will gain awareness of how depression is presenting in and impacting your life. Therapy will help you understand what may be causing and exacerbating your symptoms as well as any problematic habits or tendencies that have developed in response to your symptoms. You will also learn how to cope more effectively so you experience less symptoms and feel more confident, productive and in control.

Your therapist will complete an assessment, develop a personalized treatment plan and treat your symptoms using a combination of proven therapeutic methods. Start addressing your symptoms by scheduling your first session today.

Only a licensed mental health professional can diagnose you with a depressive disorder. If you are experiencing symptoms, therapy is a good starting point.
Resources: DSM 5 and Mayo Clinic