Most people will experience some degree of traumatic experience in their lifetime. A trauma inducing event might be brief, or easy to identify, such as a serious accident, sudden exposure to violence, or a natural disaster. It is also possible to experience signs of traumatic stress when the cause is less clear, or the events were ongoing. Childhood abuse or neglect, partner violence, or repeated patterns of harm in a relationship -even workplace bullying or harassment- can lead to a lasting response of avoidance, guilt, agitation or worry.
While many people can recover from trauma over time with the love and support of family and friends, there are times when the feelings of emotional pain, distressing and recurring thoughts, or physical signs such as sleeplessness or appetite changes, can persist long after the event has passed.
In these circumstances, the support, guidance, and assistance of a therapist is fundamental to healing from trauma.
Trauma Symptoms
You do not need to be experiencing the clinical symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in order to identify a lasting response to a painful, or frightening, life event. In counselling, it’s your experience that matters. Although some of the symptoms below may be important for you to prioritize with your healthcare provider, and through trauma-informed counselling.
Avoidance Symptoms
- Avoiding specific locations, sights, situations, and sounds that serve as reminders of the event
- Anxiety, depression, numbness, or guilt
Re-experiencing Symptoms
- Intrusive thoughts, nightmares or flashbacks
Hyperarousal Symptoms
- Anger, irritability, and hypervigilance
- Aggressive, reckless behavior, including self-harm
- Sleep disturbances
Negative Mood and Cognition Symptoms
- Loss of interest in activities that were once considered enjoyable
- Difficulty remembering details of the distressing event
- Change in habits or behavior since the trauma
If you or someone you know matches the trauma symptoms listed above, I invite you to contact me today for a free consultation.