PTSD & Trauma Treatment Counseling
- Have you experienced a traumatic event that you can’t get out of your head?
- Since that event have you been avoiding things or people more?
- Do you now feel disconnected or numb from others?
- Are you losing sleep and are not sure why?
- Do you no longer feel safe in places that you used to?
- Have you lost your train of thought when people start asking you questions or when you are watching TV?
These and many more symptoms are common when someone has experienced a traumatic event.
What is PTSD?
Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is an anxiety disorder that develops in response to traumatic experience(s). These experiences can involve a wide range of events, including but not limited to: being involved in a natural disaster, being exposed to physical, emotional or sexual abuse, major accidents, death of loved ones, neglectful treatment, and war and combat exposure. An individual may have the traumatic event happen directly to them, they may witness the event indirectly, and/or even hearing about the event could potentially cause some secondary trauma to occur. Individuals who have been in very rigid religious communities or endured severe medical issues can also experience a trauma response.
What does trauma feel like?
The physical and emotional changes in our body after exposure to a traumatic event are our body’s way of protecting us, which is why our body places us on high alert. Our body says: “I don’t want this to happen again so I am going to wire you to never forget what happened and always be on alert.” This stress throughout our system, however, can wreak havoc on some of our major systems within the body. Additionally, the part of our brain which is responsible for critical thinking, problem-solving, planning, decision making and emotion regulation goes haywire.
The good news is that this does not have to feel like this forever. Contact us for more information on how trauma counseling and PTSD treatment can help provide you some relief.