Trauma?
When combined with other factors trauma can become a powerful driver of addiction, compulsive behavior and co-dependency, most often accompanied by depression or anxiety. Trauma is any experience in which a person's mental and emotional resources are overwhelmed causing high anxiety, emotional shut-down, feelings of emptiness, a sense of fragmentation (feeling like one is in bits and pieces and no-thing fits together), immobilization (difficulty moving forward and making decisions) or hopelessness and despair. Childhood trauma has the most profound impact because the brains and nervous systems of children are immature and thus immediately vulnerable to traumatic assault. This also makes immediate intervention crucial though it is often absent due to parental neglect, emotional abandonment or some other form of abuse.
Effects of trauma
Trauma results in distinct physical and psychological changes. People who experience trauma may function in the everyday world as if the trauma is still occurring and the world is not a safe place. The nervous system stays on high alert and they may be in a state of hyperarousal or dissociation. The fontal lobes of the brain may also be shut down and the person can often find themselves in a state of “flight or fight.” It could feel like they have their foot on the gas pedal and the break at the same time.
Over time the following symptoms may be experienced:
Hyper-vigilance
Eating disorders
Compulsive behaviors
Trouble thinking clearly
Unwanted thoughts
Anxiety/Panic
Depression
Trouble managing relationships
Easily overwhelmed
Sexual issues
Sense of numbness
Sense of the unreal – being out of one’s body
Insomnia
Re-occurring nightmares
Memory loss
Thoughts of suicide
In an effort to deal with these symptoms it is common for a person to use any number of substances or activities to regulate discomfort and difficult feelings including taking drugs, alcohol, drinking food/eating, sex.
Treatment
Fortunately there a number of highly effective treatment methods and tools available to release the negative effects of trauma and help people live happier, healthier lives.
When an individual experiences trauma, that event becomes “stuck in time” in the mind and body and reprocessing with therapists helps a person review memories and experiences so that they can view disturbing material in a new and less distressing way.
Essential to the success of any treatment program is a compassionate, non-judgmental environment where a person can feel safe to work through the effects of being harmed and feeling hurt.
Benefits of counseling:
Release trauma from the body/mind
Stop using alcohol, or other drugs or engaging in unhealthy activities
Learn how to deal with difficult memories & emotions without addictive behaviors
Gain more control over everyday life
Feel better in your own “skin”
Improved self-esteem
Improved relationships & communication skills
Less depression/anxiety
Increased ability to deal with stress
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