top of page
Therapy session
Therapy session

Trauma & PTSD

Trauma refers to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope and elicits feelings of helplessness, fear, or horror.

Trauma can result from various events or situations, including but not limited to:

  1. Physical or Sexual Abuse: Experiencing physical violence, sexual assault, or domestic violence can cause profound trauma.

2. Natural Disasters: Surviving a natural disaster such as a hurricane, earthquake, flood, or wildfire can be traumatic.

3. Accidents or Injuries: Being involved in a serious accident, witnessing a traumatic injury, or experiencing a life-threatening medical event can lead to trauma.

4. Combat or Warfare: Military personnel and civilians exposed to combat situations or living in war zones may develop trauma-related symptoms.

5. Sudden Loss or Bereavement: The unexpected death of a loved one or experiencing multiple losses within a short period can be traumatic.

6. Childhood Trauma: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) such as neglect, emotional abuse, or household dysfunction can have lasting effects on mental health and well-being.

PTSD

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a specific type of trauma-related mental health condition that can develop following exposure to a traumatic event. It is characterized by a cluster of symptoms that persist for an extended period after the traumatic experience. Some common symptoms of PTSD include:

  1. Intrusive Memories: Flashbacks, nightmares, or distressing thoughts or images related to the traumatic event. These memories may feel vivid and uncontrollable.

  2. Avoidance: Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event, such as places, people, activities, or conversations that evoke distressing memories or emotions.

  3. Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood: Persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world, feelings of detachment or estrangement from others, diminished interest in activities once enjoyed, or persistent negative emotions such as fear, guilt, shame, or anger.

  4. Hyperarousal: Feeling constantly on edge, irritable, or easily startled. Individuals with PTSD may have difficulty sleeping, concentrating, or maintaining a sense of calm.

  5. Reactivity: Engaging in impulsive or self-destructive behaviors, experiencing exaggerated responses to perceived threats, or having difficulty regulating emotions.

PTSD can significantly impair a person's ability to function in daily life, maintain relationships, and experience a sense of well-being. It can develop in anyone who has experienced or witnessed a traumatic event, and its onset may be delayed, with symptoms appearing weeks, months, or even years after the traumatic event

bottom of page