There are many things that can cause trauma in a person’s life. Bullying, violence, physical abuse in adulthood, and even early childhood abuse are all traumatic experiences that people go through, making everyday situations challenging and complicated. To overcome these, trauma treatment may be required.
Psychological (or emotional) trauma – also known as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder – is damage or injury to someone’s psyche after experiencing an extremely frightening or distressing event. It may result in challenges in functioning or coping normally after the event.
Each person experiences trauma uniquely, and as a consequence, each person reacts differently. Some people develop signs and symptoms of trauma early on after an event, while others might be affected by past experiences later in life.
Whatever the case, traumatic experiences often involve life-threatening events. Many scenarios where trauma occurs—especially ones where the experience is entirely unique—can leave a person feeling isolated and alone.
It’s important to remember that, when it comes to trauma, objective facts do not solely determine how traumatic an experience is. An overwhelming and stressful experience for one person might be an everyday experience for someone else. The level of emotional response is subjective. Often, the more helpless a person feels in a given situation, the higher the level of traumatization they will experience.
Mental health and trauma
Unfortunately, trauma has a severe knock-on effect on a person’s entire life. More often than not, those who attend rehab for trauma are experiencing dual diagnosis—they are suffering from other mental health concerns. Treating the whole person, rather than just the individual signs and symptoms of trauma, is imperative to helping them conquer their trauma for good.
Traumatic stress can lead to many mental health issues, including:
- Depression
- Severe anxiety
- Feelings of shame, hopelessness, and despair
- Extreme stress
- Self-destructive behaviors
- Loneliness
Trauma can also lead to negative habits as a means of escaping psychological distress. Many people suffering from trauma may also struggle with:
- Alcoholism or substance abuse
- Sex or process addiction
- Impulsive behaviors like gambling
- OCD
- Eating disorders
To overcome these challenges and get to the root cause of a traumatic event, it’s crucial to seek help as early as possible. At Salt Recovery, a person can receive tailored treatment that not only helps them overcome their trauma but also addresses any related mental health and addiction issues.
When to seek professional help for trauma
Recovering from trauma takes time, especially if co-occurring issues are present. Not only must one confront the root cause of their trauma, but they must also work through any addictions. Healing is a gradual process rather than a quick fix.
It can be difficult to determine when to seek professional help for trauma. However, if you experience any of the following, it may be time to reach out for support:
- Trouble functioning at home or work
- Severe fear, anxiety, or depression
- Difficulty forming close relationships
- Terrifying memories, nightmares, or flashbacks
- Avoidance of anything that reminds you of the trauma
- Feeling emotionally numb and disconnected from others
- Using alcohol or drugs to cope
Working through trauma alone can be overwhelming, and it can be challenging to understand your feelings without professional guidance. That’s why the experienced trauma specialists at Salt Recovery are essential for support.
Treatment for trauma
To heal properly from psychological or emotional trauma, you’ll need the courage to face past experiences that you might be avoiding. As difficult as this may sound, the right environment can help you uncover these experiences in a safe and supportive way.