Trauma & PTSD

If an experience is too difficult for you to process emotionally, threatens your safety, or frightens you extremely, then that experience is a trauma. Trauma may cause you to have very strong emotional reactions. Understanding typical reactions to traumatic events can help you cope effectively with your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors in order to process the trauma in the healthiest way possible.

It is not unusual to find that serious problems persist and interfere with daily life after a traumatic experience. A counselor can educate you about normal responses to extreme stress and will help you find constructive ways of dealing with the emotional impact.

What is trauma?

• Physical or sexual assault
• Military combat
• Domestic violence
• Emotional abuse
• Natural disasters
• The loss of a loved one
• Car or plane accident
• Childhood trauma (bullying, etc.)
• Any situation that made you feel unsafe

Some Symptoms of PTSD:

• Recurrent distressing memories and/or dreams of the traumatic event
• Flashbacks where the individual feels as though they are experiencing the trauma again
• Intense psychological distress when exposed to triggers that remind you of the event
• Difficulty falling or staying asleep
• Lack of interest in activities you used to enjoy
• Inability to experience positive emotions
• Reckless or self-destructive behavior