Trauma/PTSD Overview
Trauma is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and alters their sense of security. The impact of trauma can be long-lasting and affect various aspects of your life.
Signs & Symptoms
The effects of trauma can manifest in various ways, both physically and emotionally.
- Flashbacks or intrusive memories of the traumatic event
- Nightmares or sleep disturbances
- Anxiety, fear, or panic attacks
- Depression or feelings of hopelessness
- Irritability or anger outbursts
- Difficulty concentrating or focusing
- Emotional numbness or detachment
- Increased heart rate or palpitations
- Muscle tension or pain
- Headaches or stomachaches
- Fatigue or exhaustion
- Changes in appetite or sleep patterns
- Avoidance of people, places, or activities that remind you of the trauma
- Hypervigilance or feeling constantly on edge
- Difficulty trusting others or forming relationships
- Self-destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse or self-harm
Causes & Risk Factors
- Physical or sexual assault
- Accidents or natural disasters
- Combat experiences
- Childhood abuse or neglect
- Witnessing violence or death
- Medical procedures or serious illness
- Severity and duration of the traumatic event
- Lack of social support
- Previous history of trauma
- Pre-existing mental health conditions
Treatment
Trauma can be challenging to treat, but there are different treatment methods that can help people to better manage their symptoms. The most common treatment modalities used to treat trauma include:
- Trauma-Focused Therapy: Evidence-based therapies, such as Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) or Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), to help you process traumatic memories and reduce their impact.
- Somatic Experiencing: A body-centered approach that helps you release trapped trauma energy and regulate your nervous system
- Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Cultivate present-moment awareness and develop skills for managing triggers and flashbacks
A List of Adult Mental Health Issues We Treat at Sullivan & Associates
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing disease characterized by compulsive seeking and use of a substance or engagement in a behavior, despite harmful consequences. It can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or socioeconomic status. Addiction can involve various substances, such as alcohol, drugs, or even behaviors like gambling or gaming.
Anxiety is a normal human emotion that everyone experiences from time to time. It’s a feeling of worry, nervousness, or unease, typically about an imminent event or something with an uncertain outcome.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects how a person communicates, interacts with others, learns, and behaves. It is called a “spectrum” disorder because there is wide variation in the type and severity of symptoms people experience.
Chronic pain is pain that lasts for 3 months or longer. It can be constant or intermittent, and it can occur anywhere in the body. Unlike acute pain, which is a normal sensation that alerts us to injury or illness, chronic pain persists even after the body has healed. It can significantly interfere with daily life, affecting physical functioning, emotional well-being, and social interactions.
Depression is more than just feeling sad or down. It’s a persistent mood disorder that affects your thoughts, feelings, behavior, and physical health. It can interfere with your daily life, relationships, and overall well-being.
Disordered eating encompasses a range of abnormal eating behaviors that can significantly impact your physical and mental health. It can include restrictive dieting, binge eating, purging, excessive exercise, and an unhealthy preoccupation with food and body image. While not always meeting the full criteria for a diagnosed eating disorder, disordered eating can still cause significant distress and impairment in your life.
Emotion regulation refers to the ability to effectively manage and respond to your emotions in a healthy and adaptive way. It involves recognizing, understanding, and accepting your emotions, as well as having the skills to modulate their intensity and expression when needed.
Grief is a natural and inevitable response to loss, most often associated with the death of a loved one. However, grief can also be experienced with any significant loss, such as the loss of a relationship, job, health, or even a cherished dream. It is an individual and deeply personal process, with no right or wrong way to grieve.
Inattention and motor restlessness refer to difficulties with sustaining focus, remaining still, and controlling impulsive actions. These challenges can impact academic performance, work productivity, relationships, and overall well-being. While often associated with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), they can also occur in other conditions or independently.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and other sexual and gender minority (LGBTQ+) adults face unique challenges and experiences throughout their lives. While societal acceptance and legal protections have progressed in many parts of the world, LGBTQ+ individuals still encounter discrimination, prejudice, and stigma that can significantly impact their mental health, relationships, and overall well-being.
Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) is a mental health condition characterized by unwanted, intrusive thoughts, images, or urges (obsessions) that trigger intensely distressing feelings. These obsessions are often followed by repetitive behaviors or mental acts (compulsions) that a person feels driven to perform in an attempt to reduce anxiety or prevent a feared event.
Psychosis is a mental health condition that affects a person’s ability to perceive and interpret reality. It can involve a range of symptoms, including hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Psychosis can be a symptom of various mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or severe depression.
Relationship issues are a common experience, affecting romantic partnerships, friendships, family relationships, and professional connections. These issues can arise from a variety of sources, including communication problems, differing values, unmet needs, life transitions, and external stressors. While occasional disagreements and challenges are normal, persistent or severe relationship issues can lead to significant distress and impact overall well-being.
Learn MoreLearn About Family IssuesLearn About Parenting Issues
Sleep is essential for physical and mental well-being. When sleep is consistently disrupted, it can lead to a variety of problems. Insomnia, the most common sleep disorder, is characterized by difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or getting enough restful sleep. This can lead to daytime fatigue, impaired concentration, mood disturbances, and other health problems.
Trauma is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and alters their sense of security. The impact of trauma can be long-lasting and affect various aspects of your life.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head or a penetrating head injury that disrupts the normal function of the brain. TBIs range in severity from “mild” (a brief change in mental status or consciousness) to “severe” (an extended period of unconsciousness or amnesia after the injury).