Trauma Therapy, PTSD Treatment & Healing Attachment Issues
|
|
How Do I Know If I Have Experienced Trauma?
Some people experience one time events and some people experience repeated traumatic events. Some develop PTSD, some complex PTSD and/or dissociative disorders. And, for others, they have symptoms of trauma with no formal diagnosis.
Trauma is anything too overwhelming for our mind-body-social-spirit selves to integrate. Does this sound like something you could be experiencing? If so, you may want to take the ACES questionnaire.
Trauma is anything too overwhelming for our mind-body-social-spirit selves to integrate. Does this sound like something you could be experiencing? If so, you may want to take the ACES questionnaire.
Common Issues That Cause Trauma or Attachment Issues
While not everyone who has the following things happen will be "traumatized" by the event(s), we do often see these issues come up in counseling for trauma. Some things that you may have dealt with are:
- witnessing or experiencing abuse/assaults (physical violence, verbal, emotional/psychological, sexual)
- not having one's basic needs met (food, shelter, clothes, healthcare, love)
- child of alcoholic/drug-addicted parent
- child of a parent who struggled with mental health issues that were not well managed
- growing up in a chaotic environment or inconsistent parenting
- any experiences where you felt frightened
- loss of a parent, partner or loved one
- natural disasters, accidents
- bullying or experiences of humiliation
- experiences of racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, religious discrimination
The Environment Matters
Some people grow up in environments that are validating. These environments help them develop resources and strategies to be able to identify, express and regulate emotions in effective ways for their temperament. These strategies help foster a stable self image and healthy self-esteem.
Others grow up in environments that are frightening or invalidating, leading to the development of strategies for survival that are trauma-based. These individuals tend to live their life as if they are surviving rather than thriving. This mindset makes it difficult to embrace their full self and experience a wide range of emotions in effective ways.
Others grow up in environments that are frightening or invalidating, leading to the development of strategies for survival that are trauma-based. These individuals tend to live their life as if they are surviving rather than thriving. This mindset makes it difficult to embrace their full self and experience a wide range of emotions in effective ways.
Symptoms of Trauma
While everyone experiences traumatic events differently, here are some of the most common symptoms we see in our therapy practice:
- depression
- anxiety, including panic attacks, worry thoughts, OCD, difficulty resting or slowing down
- anger management issues
- fight, flight, freeze
- losing periods of time
- feeling disconnected from your body
- dissociation from the event, all the way to dissociative identity disorder
- addiction, eating disorders, and suicidal thoughts
- self-harm behaviors
- intense mood shifts
- feelings of emptiness
- high levels of shame
- engaging in abusive behavior to yourself or others
PTSD and Health Effects of Trauma
You may have heard the term "PTSD" or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. But, what does it mean? What are the effects of this type of trauma? Could I have this? We usually these issues with PTSD:
- hyper-vigilance
- avoidance of people, places and things
- difficulty with concentration
- feeling too much or too little
- intense startle response
- re-experiencing traumatic events in the form of nightmares, flashbacks or body memories
- somatic symptoms and chronic illnesses like fibromyalgia and irritable bowel syndrome
- sleep issues, insomnia or extreme exhaustion
Listen to Dr. Edmond talk about our triune brain and the way it responds to stress.
Attachment and Self Esteem
Finally, trauma and traumatic events can cause intense self-esteem and attachment issues, such as:
- difficulty connecting with others
- feeling anxious or insecure in relationships
- trust issues
- codependency
- love-hate rollercoaster
- engaging in abusive behavior to yourself or others
- personal worthiness or happiness is dependent on how others view you
There is Hope! Trauma Therapy Can Help
After reading all of those signs/symptoms and possible outcomes, it would be easy to feel hopeless. But, please know that we have helped people just like you feel more connected to others, less anxious and less triggered by the events in their lives that caused the trauma in the first place. Even if you can't currently see a way out of this darkness, we can help you feel more equipped to face life with more hope and less fear.
The Mindful and Multicultural Approach to Trauma Therapy
At our Ewing, NJ counseling center, we are committed to help you move from surviving to thriving. In order to do this, we provide an integrated approach to trauma therapy. This type of trauma-informed therapy recognizes that traumatic events leave an imprint on:
- our nervous system
- our spirit
- our thinking
- how we connect or disconnect from others
- how we experience and express emotions.
The Good News: Our Brains Can Change!
The wonderful thing about our brain is that we can "rewire" it! Sound a little odd? Sure. Let us explain.
- We can use mindfulness, as well as many other skills, to develop curiosity.
- With this curiosity, we will develop an understanding about our habits and patterns.
- Then, we can use this knowledge to make changes in our life.
You Can Learn Secure Attachment
Someone with a secure attachment has a positive sense of themselves, others and relationships. They feel grounded in who they are despite what others are saying about them, balance independence with relying on others, can tolerate conflict in relationships, and have ability to regulate their emotions. Therapy for trauma and attachment issues will help you build the skills to feel more secure, confident and in control of your life and relationships.
Begin Trauma Therapy in Ewing, NJ
You don't have to live with PTSD, chronic anxiety and fear. Counseling can help you feel more hopeful and in control of your life. Our Mercer County counseling clinic has skilled and caring therapists who specialize in Trauma Therapy. To start your journey from trauma to thriving, follow these simple steps:
- Contact Mindful and Multicultural Counseling to set up an appointment.
- Meet with one of our trauma-informed mental health professionals.
- Start to overcome your fears and move beyond your trauma history into your new life.
Other Therapy Services in Mercer County, NJ | 08628
We are committed to helping you on your healing journey. From our Ewing Counseling Center, we help with multiple concerns, using various therapeutic approaches, including the effective, evidence-based DBT technique. Our caring, professional therapists will help with addictions, pregnancy counseling and postpartum therapy, life transitions, general wellness enhancement, grief, and mindfulness and yoga practice. We look forward to connecting with you!