What is Trauma?

Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. We’ve all experienced tough times in our lives. When we talk about trauma and mental health, we mean the impact that distressing events have on a person.

Trauma can have varied effects on individuals, and it’s essential to understand that experiencing trauma doesn’t indicate a flaw. Research has shown that trauma can lead to changes in the brain. Studies show that individuals with trauma may have a smaller hippocampus, a brain region responsible for memory and emotions.

Trauma and PTSD Treatment

PTSD is a mental health condition resulting from experiencing or witnessing a highly stressful event. Symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and intrusive thoughts about the event can occur. 

Following a traumatic event, many individuals may struggle to adapt and cope with the situation temporarily. If an individual experiences worsening symptoms that persist for months or years and significantly impact their daily functioning, they might be dealing with PTSD.

Some examples of events that could cause PTSD:

  • Death of a loved one
  • Experiencing prolonged medical trauma
  • War or being in combat
  • Natural disasters
  • Domestic abuse 
  • Sexual abuse
  • Witnessing accidents or deaths

It’s crucial to seek treatment as soon as PTSD symptoms appear to alleviate the symptoms and improve overall well-being.

Symptoms of Trauma and PTSD

Trauma and PTSD often have symptoms that cross with one another. Below, we will review a few of the most common manifestations:

  • Difficulty focusing
  • Irritability
  • Self-isolation
  • Feeling on edge
  • Having a strong response when startled by something
  • Warped feelings of worry, blame, or guilt
  • Difficulty recalling important details of the traumatic event
  • Angry outbursts over reminders of the traumatic event
  • Flashbacks of traumatic events on repeat
  • Nightmares about the traumatic event
  • Little to no interest in doing things that were once enjoyable
  • Intense physical response when thoughts about the event come to mind
  • Panic attacks
  • Feeling emotionally numb
  • Self-destructive behavior, such as drinking too much or using illicit drugs

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Effects of Trauma and PTSD on the Brain and Body

Trauma, particularly in childhood, can lead to long-lasting adverse effects when left untreated. It can also result in deeply ingrained thought patterns of worry, fear, and worthlessness.

Severe PTSD, if left untreated, can significantly impair a person’s ability to function at work, home, and in social environments. If you or someone you love is experiencing the symptoms of PTSD or trauma mentioned above, it is important to seek help from a trained professional.

Both trauma and PTSD can have profound effects on a person’s brain structure and function. Experiencing abuse or neglect, separation from or loss of a parent or companion, being a victim of violence or bullying, going to war, or experiencing any other traumatic event can change the brain in a way that makes a person more sensitive to future events, including everyday stress.

Studies have shown links between prolonged trauma and PTSD and the following conditions:

  • Continuous elevated levels of cortisol in the body.
  • Higher risk of developing anxiety or depressive disorders.
  • Chronic headaches, muscle and joint pains, and an activated immune response.
  • Cardiovascular complications such as elevated blood pressure and heart palpitations.
  • Substance abuse or chemical dependency.

Thankfully, treatment for trauma and PTSD is continuously adapting and improving. With the many forms of therapy available today, people living with trauma or PTSD can find a treatment that will fit their unique needs. 

Treatment Options

Once a trauma or PTSD diagnosis has been reached, your practitioner will discuss what treatment options may be most beneficial. 

Therapists use different kinds of talk therapy, also known as psychotherapy, to help children and adults with PTSD. Some types of psychotherapy used in PTSD treatment include:

  • Exposure Therapy: This therapy helps you face traumatic situations and memories in a gradual, predictable, and controllable way. It can be helpful for flashbacks and nightmares. Virtual reality is one program that can be used to reenter the place where you experienced trauma. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing therapy or EMDR, is a method that involves moving your eyes a specific way while you process traumatic memories. It is a technique that has been found helpful in allowing patients to revisit traumatic events and reprocess them to find closure.
  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a form of psychotherapy that helps individuals recognize and modify negative thought patterns influencing their behavior and emotions. It combines cognitive therapy with behavior therapy to identify and replace negative patterns with more desirable ones.

Several types of medications can help alleviate symptoms of trauma or PTSD. Let’s explore some of the options:

  • Antidepressants: These medications can alleviate symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as improve sleep problems and concentration. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) medicines are FDA-approved and commonly used to treat depression and anxiety. Some examples of SSRIs are sertraline (Zoloft) or fluoxetine (Prozac).
  • Benzodiazepines: These medicines can help with severe anxiety and related issues. Some anti-anxiety medications can cause dependency and are usually only used for a short time. Some examples of benzodiazepines are diazepam (Valium) and alprazolam (Xanax).

Find Treatment

Trauma and PTSD therapy can be customized to meet your specific needs. Finding the right balance of psychotherapy and medication can help you gain control over a traumatic experience to improve your long-term physical and mental health. 

Reach out today and see how the team at Blue Star Recovery can help you achieve relief.

References: 

  1. National Institute on Drug Abuse: Trauma and Stress
  2. National Library of Medicine: Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services
  3. Mayo Clinic: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
  4. Clevland Clinic: EMDR Therapy
  5. American Psychological Association: What is Cognitive Behavioral Therapy?