Trauma can manifest in many ways and can impact your mental health and well-being. It's the result of one or many stressful events that can shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless. It can stem from a single incident, like an accident, or from ongoing stress, like domestic abuse. In general, trauma leads to a prolonged state of heightened anxiety and distress. If you've experienced trauma, and you'd like therapy to address it, visit the providers at Park Ridge Psychological Services in Casper, WY.
Types of Trauma
There are several types of trauma, including:
- Acute trauma: Trauma as a result of a single distressing event, such as a natural disaster or violent attack. The effects are immediate and can include shock, confusion, and physical symptoms like a racing heart or nausea.
- Chronic or complex trauma: This occurs due to repeated exposure to something stressful, like childhood abuse or living in a war zone. Both types of trauma can lead to emotional and psychological issues, and affect your relationships with others.
- Secondary/vicarious trauma: This occurs when you've been indirectly exposed to traumatic events, and is common among frontline workers like first responders, or even family members of trauma survivors.
Symptoms and Impact
The physical symptoms of trauma include headaches, fatigue, sleep disturbances, gastrointestinal problems, and an increased heart rate. Emotionally, you might experience anxiety and fear, anger and irritability, depression, guilt, shame, and emotional numbness.
People who have experienced trauma might avoid reminders of the trauma, withdraw from social events, have difficulty concentrating, engage in risky or self-destructive behaviors, and have flashbacks and intrusive memories. If you recognize these symptoms in yourself or someone you know, get in touch with the providers at Park Ridge Psychological Services in Casper, WY.
Treatment
Untreated trauma can lead to mental health conditions such as PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression, and anxiety. It can also contribute to other health problems like chronic pain and heart issues.
CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy) can help clients identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to their trauma. General therapy can also help individuals process and manage their emotions.
EMDR (eye movement desensitization and reprocessing) is a technique used to help people process and integrate traumatic memories using guided eye movements. It aims to reduce the distress associated with those traumatic memories.
Book Your Appointment
If you've experienced trauma in your life, and you want to head down the path of recovery, don't wait a second longer. For therapy, get in touch with the providers at Park Ridge Psychological Services in Casper, WY, by calling 307-462-4876 today.