Trauma and PTSD

Trauma is the emotional reaction of a person to an event which overwhelms them. It could be physical injury, emotional harm (getting angry, anxious or scared), spiritual harm (your beliefs or values are challenged) and psychological (affecting your beliefs and feelings about self). Childhood trauma (neglect, abuse, exposure to violence and adverse events) could have lasting and damaging effects on one’s psyche.

PTSD is a collection of feelings, behaviours and experiences resulting from one or a series of harmful psychologically traumatic events.It can affect anyone of any age. It could present as sleep disturbance, nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, panic attacks, negative thoughts, mood changes, hypervigilance or numbness. There could be triggers in sensory input or thoughts. It is more likely if the harmful event resulted in severe injury, loss of a loved one or involved a sense of helplessness. The risk is higher if there is a history of past trauma, lack of support system and any other mental health or substance use disorders.

Trauma could force the brain to stay in the survival mode which explains the hyperarousal and the anxiety symptoms. Everyone exhibits their reaction to trauma differently. Trauma Informed Therapy allows therapists to consider past trauma in addition to the presenting complaints. It fosters a safe and inclusive environment in therapy while empowering the client to set his own progress rate and goals. TIT is also big on developing a circle of care with other support services (support groups, including family and friends in the recovery, using other professional help). 

Among many, some  popular therapies used in trauma survivors are Cognitive Behavioural therapy (CBT), Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT), EMDR and Prolonged Exposure Therapy.