TRAUMA & PTSD: OVERVIEW
There are misconceptions about trauma and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One popular misconception (usually seen in social media posts) is that one is traumatized through challenging situations such as sitting next to a passenger with undesirable scents or behaviors while using mass transit, or after a particularly difficult testing experience. While most people understand that these statements are made to gain attention and elicit the sharing of similar experiences, the characterization of such events as “traumatizing” has the unwanted effect of diminishing the life-altering, perception-changing experiences that survivors undergo. It also fosters confusion and can cause true survivors to maintain silence. If such events are presented as tongue-in-cheek, silly, or humorous, then the survivor can’t be faulted for thinking that no one will understand what it really means to experience trauma and live with PTSD symptoms.
Trauma is an event or series of events that could cause people to feel powerless, horrified, and is life-changing in one way or another.
These are some of the following reactions that many people experience after the traumatic event/s: repetitive and unwanted thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, avoiding reminders of the event or situation, low self esteem, depression, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, mentally checking out frequently (spacing out), and relationship issues.
Many, but not all, trauma survivors have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder when the criteria are met, but it’s important to work on what caused ADHD symptoms - because these are only some of the negative impacts of trauma.
Many trauma survivors believe that their value comes from performance or output, and this leads to things such as perfectionism, procrastination, or even self sabotage.
Some sexual trauma survivors believe the implied and sometimes explicit message from the abuser: that their only worth is of being a sex object.
I know that what we believe guides our lives, and the impact of believing these messages are long-term and far-reaching.
I believe that posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms are understandable reactions to situations that are disruptive, scary, and hurtful: abuse in relationships, medical trauma, being in combat, accidents, and natural disasters.
I also believe as other trauma specialists do, that traumatic events affect people physically and not just mentally or emotionally. Understanding what happens to the brain and the nervous system is an important aspect of healing - but we need to tie it in with the skills to combat the PTSD symptoms in their daily lives.
In my approach to healing, I provide my clients with education, tools (to improve mood and decrease anxiety, improve the way they function at work and in relationships), as well as compassionate and knowledgeable guidance.
People need a guide so they can move forward, and often to step back and see things in more realistic and helpful ways.
It’s very important to me for my clients to understand that there is HOPE, and this hope isn’t based on wishful thinking.
PTSD can be healed. I know this not just because of data provided by hundreds of research studies, but because I’ve professionally witnessed it countless times. I’ve guided many people through healing, and I can do the same for you.
Let’s start YOUR healing journey.
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