Trauma Q & A

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What is trauma?

 

Trauma is any event that causes distress or mental anguish and negatively affects your mental health. It ranges in severity from mild to severe and can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Treatment can help you overcome past trauma to maximize your quality of life.

 

What are examples of trauma?

 

Examples of traumatic life events include:

• Childhood neglect

• Being a first responder

• Death in your family

• Sexual, physical, or emotional abuse

• Being a victim of violence

• Military combat

• Natural disasters

• Being in a car accident

Trauma affects everyone differently, as the symptoms experienced afterward vary from person to person.

 

Which symptoms can trauma cause?

 

The symptoms of PTSD, a mental health condition that may result after trauma, include:

• Loss of interest in favorite things

• Thoughts of suicide

• Flashbacks

• Nightmares

• Being startled easily

• Problems sleeping

• Always being on guard 

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Difficulty concentrating

• Substance abuse

• Distressing thoughts or memories 

• Irritability

• Mood swings

Trauma might cause you to avoid certain situations, people, places, or things that remind you of a traumatic experience or trigger distressing memories.

 

How are trauma-induced mental health disorders diagnosed?

 

Diagnosing PTSD and other mental health disorders associated with trauma involves a review of your medical history, mental health history, medications, and family history of mental health conditions. 

 

During a psychiatric evaluation, a specialist discusses your symptoms, past trauma, emotions, thoughts, mood, and behaviors. They customize a mental health treatment plan that best suits you.

 

How does my provider treat distress caused by trauma?

 

To treat anxiety, depression, and other conditions caused by trauma, the Restoring Foundations Psychiatric Counseling Center offers:

 

Therapy

 

Speaking with a mental health specialist routinely can help you overcome debilitating symptoms caused by trauma. Your specialist offers individualized, couples, family, and group counseling sessions. They provide cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), exposure therapy, and other forms of psychotherapy.

 

Medication management

 

Taking medications can ease troublesome symptoms and help you better cope with distressing thoughts and emotions. A mental health provider helps you properly manage your condition using a personalized treatment that may consist of therapy and condition-specific medications.

 

Lifestyle changes

 

Adopting healthy habits maximizes your chance of successfully overcoming trauma. Try stress-reduction techniques, build a strong social support network, avoid drug and alcohol use, eat nutritious foods, get enough sleep, and exercise regularly.

 

To better manage mental health conditions associated with past trauma, schedule an evaluation at Restoring Foundations Psychiatric Counseling Center by phone or online today.