Trauma & PTSD

Trauma can result from one single event or many events over an extended period of time. These events may include accidents, medical emergencies, natural disasters, violent attacks, abusive relationships, bullying, housing/food insecurity, childhood abuse/neglect, racial or cultural discrimination, or religious trauma. In some way, your physical survival and/or emotional safety were in danger and your overwhelmed brain was not able to process and “file away” these experiences as they normally would. The unprocessed memories can then become “trapped” in your nervous system.

If you have experienced any event leading to a trauma response, I first want to say:

I believe you.

No matter how big or small, I believe your experience. I believe the ways you’ve been impacted.

I believe you, fully. Don’t allow yourself, your abuser, or anyone else to downplay or minimize your experience.

I also want you to know, you are not only a victim, but a survivor. You have more courage than you know and I’m so proud of you for seeking help and taking this first step.

How do you know if your experience was traumatic or just a difficult moment?

When the symptoms interfere with your daily ability to function, it is time to seek help.

The trauma you experienced may be affecting you in the following ways:

  • Avoiding anything that reminds you of the event

  • Increased reactivity

  • Hypervigilance

  • Re-experiencing the fear of the trauma

  • Self-destructive behavior

  • Social isolation

  • Flashbacks

  • Nightmares and sleep disturbances

  • Paranoia

  • Agitation

  • Emotional detachment

  • Dissociation

  • Problems with memory

  • Difficulty thinking

Survivors of trauma often feel withdrawn and blame themselves for what happened to them. They feel their experiences must have been deserved and have a hard time moving on from them. The beliefs about themselves and their safety in the world that people can develop after these experiences alter the way that they function on a daily basis.

Whether you have experienced one or many traumas, please know that it can get better. You can find peace and gain healthier perspectives of these experiences.

For trauma survivors, an evidence-based treatment called EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is a gentle and effective option. You will still have memories of the experience, but you will be able to complete the processing that you were not able to complete while they were happening due to the nature and intensity of the event(s). You will be able to view the experience(s) as something that happened in the past but is no longer controlling and influencing your present day experience.

Don’t give up now, you’ve come too far. You’ve suffered long enough. I’d love to help you heal and find your inner strength. Please reach out today.