Trauma & PTSD

The word trauma is taken from the Greek word for wound. When individuals face a frightening or life-threatening event, there can be an ongoing psychological impact.

• Sleeplessness
• Anxiety
• Being easily startled
• Poor concentration
• Frequent intrusive thoughts about the trauma
• Mood swings
• Loss of enjoyment in activities
• Social withdrawal
• Avoiding places associated with the trauma
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks

These symptoms can settle naturally in the weeks following a trauma, as life gets back to normal. However for some people, these symptoms persist and have a significant impact on everyday life.

 

Traumas include incidences that occur on one occasion, such as being involved in a motor vehicle accident or being assaulted. Traumas also include long-term situations, and the word abuse is often referred to. Abuse can be physical, sexual, verbal or emotional. Abuse can occur within marital relationships, relationships with other family members, within the work place and amongst peers.

 

Both trauma and abuse can have significant impacts on a person’s sense of self, sense of safety and their ability to function in the world. Individuals can benefit greatly from attending psychological therapy to speak about what they have experienced and address the ongoing impact of their traumas. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can be especially helpful in empowering individuals to manage their symptoms and move forward from their traumatic experiences.

 

Cognitive behavioural therapy for abuse and trauma deals with the physical, mental, emotional and behavioural impact of trauma. A psychologist can help you learn relaxation techniques to cope with the anxiety and emotional distress that often follows from trauma; as well as working with you to make sense of the trauma and develop techniques to reduce the distress associated with memories of the trauma. Treatment will often involve the opportunity to tell the story of your trauma in a supported, non-judgemental way.