Trauma and it’s effects can have a devastating impact on our health, well-being, and happiness. It is often assumed that trauma happens from events and experiences that are extreme, such as war, rape, other violence, etc. While this is most certainly true, trauma may also come in forms that are not so obvious and easy to recognize. Trauma can occur from a physically or emotionally abusive relationship, a physical accident such as a car accident, the sudden loss of a loved one, being bullied at school, and in some cases, trauma can occur from experiences that we are mostly or completely unaware of. We know that we struggle with certain activities, but we have no idea that the root cause for this struggle is trauma of which we are not aware. What is more, because we have lived with this struggle for so long, we start to assume that “this is just how things are for me”, or “this is normal for me” (or any version of that).
Trauma Changes a Person
When a person experiences trauma, their entire world changes almost instantly. Many trauma survivors have a hard time feeling safe and secure. They begin to feel anxiety and depression, have trouble sleeping, and may experience other behavioural or emotional changes that are frightening to them and their loved ones.
Trauma Treatment
When you have experienced trauma and you begin to see some of the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), it’s time to explore trauma treatment so you can begin healing. The idea of trauma therapy can feel scary and overwhelming to people with trauma and PTSD, mainly because they need to have a sense of control to feel safe.
But seeking trauma treatment is really something that can empower you and help with your PTSD symptoms. With the help of a caring and qualified mental health professional, you can begin to process past events, leaving you more empowered to make decisions about your life and health.
Trauma and PTSD Treatment
Trauma therapies such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing, or EMDR, and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or CBT, have the potential to actually change the way your brain works, through what is called neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity simply means the neural pathways in your brain (how you think and feel) are malleable. Through specific mental health tools and strategies, you can clear the trauma and retrain your brains to let go of the fear and begin to heal.
Some of the goals of trauma therapy are:
- To safely process the traumatic event
- To eliminate the symptoms of trauma and PTSD
- To improve day-to-day functioning
- To regain your personal power
- To obtain the skills and tools to prevent you from relapsing
If you or a loved one are living with symptoms of trauma and PTSD, it’s important that you recognize the symptoms and seek help. Life does not have to continue to be scary or overwhelming. There are therapies such as EMDR Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) that can help you process your pain so that you may once again live your life full of joy and peace.
If you would like to explore treatment options, please get in touch with us. We would be very happy to help you leave the past in the past and move on to brighter tomorrows.
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