Trauma &
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

“For all of us, unprocessed memories are generally the basis of negative responses, attitudes and behaviors. Processed memories, on the other hand, are the basis of adaptive positive responses, attitudes and behaviors.”

– Dr. Francine Shapiro

Trauma is a term that refers to a physical injury or a psychological wound caused by a deeply distressing event. While physical trauma refers to sudden, severe injuries like broken bones or internal damage from an accident, emotional or psychological trauma is a response to events that overwhelm a person’s ability to cope. Although we all have pre-conceived conceptualizations of what constitutes a traumatic experience, trauma is less defined by the “objective” threat of harm one faced and more by the feelings of overwhelm and helplessness one felt in the face of a threat to one’s physical or psychological well-being. Trauma can have long-lasting negative effects, causing physical and emotional distress. Although this list is not exhaustive, examples of trauma include:

  1. surviving a natural disaster or a serious injury or accident;
  2. medical events such as facing a chronic or terminal illness, or adjusting to an acquired disability;
  3. surviving physical, emotional, or sexual abuse in childhood;
  4. bullying;
  5. immigration;
  6. domestic violence;
  7. physical or sexual assault;
  8. the unexpected loss of a loved one;
  9. shunning and social marginalization; and
  10. religious or spiritual abuse (the manipulation, control, or harm of another person using religious or spiritual beliefs, practices, or authority; it can occur in any faith tradition and involves using a position of power to coerce, demean, or isolate someone).

When trauma is unprocessed and unresolved it can segue into a constellation of symptoms that persist beyond the end of the traumatic event and result in a diagnosis of a post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

PTSD symptoms include:

Intrusion and Re-experiencing Symptoms

  • •  Recurrent, involuntary, and distressing memories of the event;
  • •  Recurrent distressing dreams related to the event;
  • •  Flashbacks, where the person feels as if the event is happening again; flashbacks can be cognitive through imagery/memories, but can also be sub-conscious and primarily physical or emotional; and
  • •  Intense or prolonged psychological distress or physical reactions when exposed to cues similar to the event.
 

Avoidance Symptoms

  • •  Avoidance of memories, thoughts, or feelings associated with the trauma; and
  • •  Avoidance of external reminders (people, places, activities, or situations) that trigger distress.
 

Negative Alterations to Thoughts and Mood

  • •  Inability to remember an important aspect of the traumatic event(s) (typically due to dissociative amnesia, and not to other factors such as head injury, alcohol, or drugs);
  • •  Persistent and exaggerated negative beliefs or expectations about oneself, others, or the world (e.g., “I am bad,” “No one can be trusted,” “The world is completely dangerous,” “My nervous system is permanently ruined”);
  • •  Persistent, distorted cognitions about the cause or consequences of the traumatic event(s) that lead the individual to blame himself/herself or others (e.g., “It’s all my fault.”);
  • •  Persistent negative emotional state (e.g., fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame);
  • •  Markedly diminished interest or participation in significant activities;
  • •  Feelings of detachment or estrangement from others; and
  • •  Persistent inability to experience positive emotions (e.g., impaired ability to experience happiness, satisfaction, or loving feelings).
 

Alterations to Arousal and Reactivity

    • •  Irritable behavior and angry outbursts (with little or no provocation), typically expressed as verbal or physical aggression toward people or objects;
    • •  Reckless or self-destructive behavior;
    • •  Hypervigilance (a state of heightened alertness and sensitivity to your surroundings, where you are constantly on guard for potential danger);
    • •  Exaggerated startle response upon surprise or scare;
    • •  Problems with concentration;
    • •  Sleep disturbance (e.g., difficulty falling or staying asleep or restless sleep).
    •  

PTSD comes with or without what we call, “dissociative symptoms.” 

Dissociative symptoms include:

    1. Depersonalization: Persistent or recurrent experiences of feeling detached from, and as if one were an outside observer of, one’s mental processes or body (e.g., feeling as though one were in a dream; feeling a sense of unreality of self or body or of time moving slowly).
    2. Derealization: Persistent or recurrent experiences of unreality of surroundings (e.g., the world around the individual is experienced as unreal, dreamlike, distant, or distorted).

Are you experiencing any of these symptoms or difficulties?

You are deserving of attention and care. Contact me today for a free 15 minutes consultation on how we can best work together to support you on your healing journey.

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