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Trauma Q&A

What causes trauma?

Trauma refers to the emotional and mental health issues that occur after you experience a frightening, dangerous, or life-threatening event. You may also feel traumatized if you witness the event.

The most common traumatic events include:

  • Sexual assault
  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional abuse
  • Childhood neglect
  • Religious trauma
  • Domestic violence
  • Community violence (shootings)
  • Car crashes and other accidents
  • Robbery or household invasion
  • Death or serious illness of a friend or loved
  • Natural disasters (hurricanes, floods, earthquakes)

Children and teens may also experience trauma from being bullied or living in a household filled with ongoing stress and tension. 

What disorders are associated with trauma?

Trauma causes a natural emotional response. However, the fear and other feelings caused by trauma should go away within a month. If your symptoms don’t improve or get worse, you have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Complex PTSD occurs when you experience more than one traumatic event. The same trauma could repeatedly occur (such as bullying, abuse, or multiple military deployments), or you could experience different traumatic events. 

What symptoms does trauma cause?

Trauma reveals itself in many different symptoms, feelings, and behaviors. You may: 

  • Have severe anxiety
  • Feel sad, angry, irritable, or depressed
  • Have a hard time sleeping
  • Have difficulty concentrating
  • Experience flashbacks
  • Relive the event
  • Have uncharacteristic, angry outbursts
  • Have persistent disturbing memories
  • Isolate yourself from family and friends
  • Avoid the people, places, and things that remind you of the traumatic event
  • Feel guilty you didn’t stop the event (even though it was out of your control)

Children may act out the event during play or regress. For example, they may stop talking, cling to an adult, or start wetting the bed (even though they know how to use the toilet). 

How is trauma treated?

Treatment for trauma and PTSD can take many forms. For example, you may benefit from individual, group, or family counseling or one of many therapies.

The therapists at Thrive Counseling Services, LLC have helped many children, teens, and adults struggling with trauma and/or PTSD. They specialize in age-friendly therapies like play and expressive arts therapy. They’re also highly skilled in effective trauma-based therapies, including trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT).

In addition to providing therapy, Thrive Counseling Services, LLC offers holistic therapies and lifestyle guidance to reduce anxiety and stress caused by trauma.

If you struggle with intense or ongoing feelings after a traumatic event, call Thrive Counseling Services, LLC, or book an appointment online today.