Trauma
Most people will experience some sort of trauma in their lifetime - whether it’s a car accident, bullying, emotional abuse, neglect, the sudden death of a loved one, a violent criminal act, exposure to the violence of war, or a natural disaster.
While some people might recover from trauma over time with the love and support of close family and friends, others may discover effects of lasting trauma, which can cause a person to live with deep emotional pain, fear, confusion, or post-traumatic stress for decades after the event has passed.
With any trauma, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist can be fundamental to healing effectively from trauma.
Trauma Symptoms
According to the DSM-5 (the main diagnostic manual) there four types of trauma symptoms:
Avoidance Symptoms
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
- Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt
- Intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks
- Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
- Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
- Sleep disturbances
- Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
- Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
- Change in habits or behavior since the trauma