Trauma is a horrible experience. Traumatic experiences can make victims think they are in a never-ending cycle of reliving their worst moments that they dearly want to forget but can't seem to. Before they know it, it can morph into emotional damage that could significantly affect their functioning. 

As a result, it is vital that victims try out counseling to treat trauma. As a trauma victim, therapy will help you forget the intense incidents, helping you move on with life. 

At Overcomers Counseling Aurora, our trauma counseling help those needing trauma recovery.

Trauma is an individual's emotional response to horrifying incidents, like losing a loved one, rape, an accident, or even experiencing a natural disaster. When this type of incident occurs, immediately after this, most people usually experience shock or denial. However, in some cases, some reactions, in the long run, can include flashbacks, strained relationships, or even erratic emotions. 

There are also situations where long-term responses can be physically represented, like headaches or nausea. While some traumatized victims of less dangerous events may move on quickly from trauma, others involved in harrowing incidents may find it harder to move on. For instance, for victims of tragic events like violence or sexual assault, the trauma never really goes. 

When symptoms continue and worsen, the trauma can advance into a condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are many forms of trauma, these include: 

1. Acute trauma.
2. Chronic trauma.
3. Complex trauma.

Acute Trauma

People experience acute trauma when they directly witness a traumatic event; it can be from a single event. 

Chronic Trauma

This type of trauma occurs after someone experiences a series of traumatizing events, unlike acute trauma, which a single event might cause. These types of events usually take place on multiple occasions, and some typical exams of this include:

• Extended child abuse.
• Experience from war and combat.
• Long-term sexual abuse can also lead to chronic trauma.

Complex Trauma

This type of trauma can happen when a child or young person experiences traumatic events repeatedly. Also, complex trauma can happen to adults who have gone through multiple traumatic experiences. 

Secondary Trauma

There is also something called secondary trauma. This form of trauma happens when a person develops trauma symptoms because they have had close contact with a victim of a traumatic event. The people at risk of developing this type of trauma include family members, friends, and mental health providers of the trauma victims. 

Symptoms of the different types of trauma usually range from mild to very severe. Some of the trauma symptoms include:

• Nightmares
• Confusion
• Visual images of the event
• Loss of memory
• Mood swings
• Avoiding areas or activities that remind them of the event.
• Social isolation and withdrawal.
• Decreased interest in hobbies.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Insomnia.
• Irritability
• Anger
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks

Trauma is a negative experience that has a long-lasting effect on a person's mental and emotional well-being. Although some sources of trauma involve physical violence, some are psychological. Several sources of trauma are mentioned below.

Examples Of Traumatic Experiences

While traumatic events can be isolated, ongoing, or repeated. Some of the following are potential causes of trauma:

• Bullying harassment.
• Abuse in physical, psychological, or sexual forms.
• Sexual assault.
• Traffic accidents.
• Childbirth.
• Life-threatening illnesses
• The sudden loss of a loved one.
• Being attacked.
• Being kidnapped. 
• Acts of terrorism.
• Natural disasters.
• War.

Therapy

Therapy is one first-line treatment option for trauma patients. Types of therapy include: 

Group Therapy

Group psychotherapy or group therapy is a method of psychotherapy. It involves one or more therapists treating a group of clients together.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a technique that adopts a psycho-social intervention. This method aims to reduce symptoms of various mental health conditions, primarily depression and anxiety disorders.

Prolonged Exposure Therapy

Prolonged exposure therapy is a form of behavior therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy. This technique is designed to treat post-traumatic stress disorder. It is also characterized by two main treatment procedures – imaginal and in vivo exposures.

Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing

EMDR is a psychotherapy designed to alleviate the distress associated with traumatic memories.

Narrative Therapy

Narrative therapy is another method of psychotherapy. It seeks to help trauma victims identify their values and the skills associated with them.  It also provides the victim with knowledge of their ability to live these values to confront current and future problems effectively. 

Medications

People who have suffered traumatic experiences cannot use medication alone to treat trauma disorder fully. This is because trauma comes with deeply ingrained psychological aspects that are intricate and involves emotional and cognitive processes. However, medication can help manage symptoms related to trauma and PTSD, including anxiety, depression, and sleep problems.

Self-care

Adopting self-care activities into daily routines can be helpful for people struggling with trauma's emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms. Some examples of self-care practices for coping with trauma include:

• Exercise
• Connecting with others
• Adopting a balanced lifestyle.
• Mindfulness practices.

Support

Trauma support can come in different forms. Victims can attend support groups as a way to deal with symptoms of trauma. These types of support groups can be in-person or online, and they involve sessions with groups of people that have gone through similar traumatic experiences. This form of treatment provides a means for trauma victims to support and learn from each other. Our Aurora trauma counseling can help you address trauma symptoms and provide adequate support.