Traumatic experiences may cause feelings of helplessness, diminish your sense of self, and shatter your sense of security. Psychological trauma can leave you fighting to deal with upsetting emotions, memories, and anxiety. It may also result in feeling numb, disconnected, and unable to trust or rely on others.

TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCES CAN INCLUDE:

• Physical, sexual, verbal, spiritual, and emotional abuse

• Rape

• Childhood neglect

• Living with someone who has mental health issues or addictions

• Sudden, unexplained loss of or separation from a loved one

• Domestic Violence

• Sex or Labor Trafficking

• Racism

• Community violence

• Car Accidents

• Natural disasters

Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety; however, any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and alone can result in trauma, even if it doesn’t affect you physically. It’s not the objective circumstances that determine whether an event is traumatic, but your emotional reaction to the event. The more scared and helpless you feel during an experience, the more likely you will be traumatized.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD, is a long-term medical diagnosis that is the result of experiencing trauma or a series of traumatic events. It’s important to note that not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. PTSD is chronic, meaning it can last long after the event occurred. 

COMMON SYMPTOMS OF PTSD INCLUDE:

• Poor emotional control

• Irritability

• Anger

• Flashbacks

• Sleep disturbances, including nightmares

• Experiencing unwanted negative thoughts

• Hypervigilance or always being on guard

• Anxiety

• Withdrawal or social isolation

• Loss of interest in things you used to enjoy

• Feeling numb 

• Feeling detached from your body or your surroundings

• Dissociation

• Risky or self-destructive behaviors like drinking too much, eating disorders, substance abuse, and codependency

Complex Trauma or C-PTSD

Unlike Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which can stem from a single event, C-PTSD usually stems from repeated or prolonged exposure to traumatic events, such as childhood abuse and/or neglect, exposure to war or combat, domestic violence, and sex trafficking.

Symptoms involve difficulties with emotional regulation, relationships, and self-perception in addition to typical PTSD symptoms.

Dissociation or Dissociative Identity Disorder

Dissociation is best understood as a form of compartmentalization that can happen when one experiences trauma. It involves a separation between a person’s thoughts, memory, emotions, body, perception of self and others, behaviors, and sense of self. 

After experiencing trauma and/or PTSD, the mind can dissociate as a means of protecting itself against painful or difficult thoughts and emotions. 

Dissociative Identity Disorder was formerly called Multiple Personality Disorder. This self-protective disorder is the way a person has adapted to ongoing trauma and learned to function in daily life.

DISSOCIATIVE IDENTITY DISORDER IS CHARACTERIZED BY:

• the presence of two or more distinct identities or personalities,

• memory loss or gaps in memory, or

• significant distress that negatively impacts quality of life. 

Trauma & PTSD Treatment

Reaching out for help with PTSD, complex trauma, and dissociation is a big step. It can be hard when you feel stuck and don’t know what therapy will look like. Maybe you’re worried about what people will think when they find out about your experiences or the ways you’ve tried to cope with the negative thoughts and feelings. 

…I understand! Your instinct is to protect yourself.

My goal is to provide a safe space for you and to walk alongside you with support as you process the trauma you have experienced.