Are you feeling frightened after thinking about a certain previous life situation? If yes, then there might be a possibility that you are suffering from any post traumati stress disorder. Specifically, trauma is a person’s immediate response to extremely distressing situation. Most of the persons usually experience the different traumatic events. However, some people went through the life without experiencing trauma. Moreover, traumatic events disturb the person’s mental state.
Different changes occur in the body and brain release different neurotransmitters to assist the body in dealing with stress situations. There are different therapeutic procedures to treat the trauma. However if you want to know more about trauma and therapy, then this article is going to be supreme;y beneficial for you. After reading this article, you will get familiar with therapy for trauma, trauma counselling. Furthermore, if your child is suffering from post traumatic sysmptoms, you can also find out that what is the best therapy for childhood trauma. Similarly, you will also get vivid idea regarding the trauma therapy for adults. So what are you looking for? Move a step ahead and clear your concepts regarding the trauma therapy and associated facts.
Trauma therapy & different traumatic events
Trauma is a person’s immediate physical and emotional response to any frightening or distressing situation. A person can experience different events and can respond accordingly. Some events show a strong impact on life, while some have temporary effects. Any sudden incident, brain injury, or any personal or financial loss can result the trauma. In addition, traumas happen suddenly and are also unpredictable for each person. Moreover, some people recover easily in a short period. While on the other hand, some face major complications after the traumatic events. Different trauma therapy can treat the different traumatic situations. In most cases, some develop a severe sense of catastrophe that could strike and affect them anytime.
The most common traumatic events include:
- Major financial loss
- Childhood abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Sudden loss of a loved one
- Emotional loss
- Previous medical history
- The presence of any medical disorder within the family
- Racism
- Unexpect discrimination
- Violent acts or thoughts
- Acute stress
Emotional and Physiological Trauma
Extremely intense traumatic events can cause emotional and physiological trauma. Affected persons feel extra frightened and shattered sense of security. They panic easily and feel hopeless in the environment. Even in the presence of others, they feel extra hopeless and stressed. Recovery from emotional and physiological trauma takes time. The more the person feels extra stressed and frightened, the more likelihood of getting traumatized. However, both type can be treated with the trauma therapy.
Effects of trauma
All the traumatic events can lead to major health consequences. Moreover, numerous alterations occur in human life which are treated by therapy for trauma are as follows:
- Additction of smoking to reduce anxiety or depression
- More likelihood of becoming an alcoholic
- Increased probability of having chronic diseases
- Majorly occurrence of sexually transmitted diseases
- Most often suicidal thoughts
- Restless state
- Exhibiting the hypervigilance
- Shaking of hands
- Shyness
- Panic attacks
- Numbness
- Switch to grief state
- Dizziness
- Excess sweating
- Body ache
- Abnormality in eating patterns
- Memory problems
- Occurence of dissociative disorder
- Some symptoms of adjustment disorders
However, some common and major effects of trauma include:
They also try to hide or move away from the source of danger of trauma. However, in some cases, they exhibit their hostile behavior.
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How common is trauma?
Trauma is a persuasive problem. According to the recent surveys, about 70% of the American adults experience trauma once in their lifetime. In addition, 20% are those who met the criteria of disability. Moreover, studies have also indicated that women are more likely to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder. Their response towards traumatic events is more noticeable as compared to the males. Because females experience more distressing situations such as sexual abuse, domestic violence, and some other environmental stress factors. Furthermore, adults can rapidly recover from the PTSD as compared to the children. Trauma based therapy is the ideal way to treat the traumatic situations.
In addition, more than 60% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their life phase. While, women on the other hand experience four or more traumatic events. However, trauma counseling can prevent the occurence of PTSD symptoms.
Brain response to trauma
After any traumatic event, various alterations occur in the brain. Specifically, the level of neurotransmitters is also affected. Cortisol and adrenaline are the major hormones that develop the person’s response after trauma. Moreover, neurotransmitter signaling is also affected. Brain scans after the trauma also indicate numerous changes such as reduced signalling between the amygdala and different brain parts. Likewise, other brain parts that are responsible for fear processing and response are also affected and sow some major dysregulation. In addition, trauma therapy can process the brain infirmation in a positive way.
Teenagers or adults who experience any traumatic event in childhood respond differently as compared to children. Their brain struggles more to deal with the traumatic events. However, in most cases, their response occurs non-threatening apparently. While in some major cases, adults dealing with post-traumatic symptoms experience anxiety or depression. Likewise, various other issues related to emotional dysregulation also occur. Affected individuals then experience multiple complications which make it difficult for them to maintain healthy relationships. Ideal trauma therapy assist the brain in positive alterations that provides numerous benefits to the body.
Memory storage of trauma
Different studies have reported that trauma stimulates the nervous system. This activation prepares the person to stay alert or active before the next traumatic event. Trua is not preserved in the body, while its effects are stored in the memory. In addition, the amygdala or hippocampus is majorly involved in the memory storage of traumas. The stored memory of traumatic events becomes a major trigger of the brain after the next trauma. So whenever the same condition arises, the secured memory reminds the person of an already happened traumatic event.
What is the best therapy for childhood trauma?
Childhood trauma exerts major adverse effects and can negatively affect the bright future of children. But you do not need to worry as you can treat childhood trauma by the effective implementation of therapeutic strategies. Take a look at what type of trauma therapy is best for childhood trauma. The most common therapies for childhood trauma include:
Cognitive behavioral therapy
There are vicarious talk therapies to treat traumatic events. However, trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is more significant. This therapy specifically targets the traumatic event and suggests the treatment accordingly. Moreover, cognitive behavioral therapy as a trauma therapy also focuses on family therapy. The main goal of cognitive behavioral therapy is to remove all the worries of the child. In addition, trauma-based cognitive behavioral therapy takes place with no offending parent or any caretaker. Children, parents, or caretakers learn the coping strategies to overcome negative or distorted thoughts and the resulting behaviors. The involvement of a family-based approach in trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy is to address the problems of parents as most of the family members face difficulties in treating the children who are suffered from the trauma.
Narrative exposure therapy
Just like talk therapies, narrative exposure therapy as a trauma therapy is also renowned. This therapy is categorized among short-term mental health programs. Moreover, narrative exposure therapy can amazingly treat the child and adolescents. Similarly, adults who have also experienced any trauma in their child can also benefit from this therapy. Narrative exposure therapy involves different sessions with different goals. The goal of the first session is to perfectly analyze the symptoms of a person. A complete assessment of mental health is performed. Different symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder are evaluated and compared with others. Moreover, patients are also introduced to psychotherapies, and their major goal is to teach them persons to cope with different traumatic situations.
The second session of narrative exposure therapy as a trauma therapy involves the introduction of the lifeline concept to the patients. The link between autobiographical memories and active chronological reconstruction is also determined. The therapist asks the patient to place stones and flowers on a string or rope. They consider the stones and flowers of different colors as symbols of positive and negative thoughts. They place them in chronological order.
The third session involves the narration of the patient’s story. Affected persons narrate their life events and psychologists start the documentation. Mental health therapists save the patient’s story in the form of documents just to provide a detailed therapeutic guide. Patients are guided with all coping strategies after the traumatic experiences. Furthermore, they are also asked to reevaluate their behavior to modify their thought patterns. Then they recall all the memories related to the traumatic scenes. The ultimate trauma therapy session is arranged to reanalyze and sign the lifeline document.
Play therapy
As the name indicates, this therapy is solely focused on different play techniques for children. With the assistance of different playing techniques, traumatic effects on children can diminished. Moreover, children aged 3 to 12 are mostly treated with play therapy Therapists believe that the internal emotions of children are more expressed during their playing activities. Playing with toys act as the best medium to analyze the children’s behavior. Furthermore, most of the children get irritated easily and show stubborn behavior. By carefully analyzing their behavior, therapists can plan a treatment for their PTSD symptoms.
Prolonged Exposure therapy
Prolonged exposure therapy as a trauma therapy is another common type of cognitive behavioral therapy. This therapy can treat post-traumatic stress disorder and numerous other mental health issues. However, the major difference is the duration of therapy sessions as this therapy lasts for over three months. Children with PTSD symptoms have reduced self-esteem and confidence. Therapists ask the individuals to confront the trauma-related memories again and again. They talk about their fears, emotions, and intrusive thoughts. Furthermore, treatment plans for children and adults also vary.
Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing
This therapy is also a renowned psychotherapy treatment to diminish the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder. The duration of a single therapy session can be 90 minutes. During the entire therapy session, the therapist makes you feel comfortable by moving your fingers back and forth in front of your face. Patients are asked to follow their hand movements. Meanwhile, the therapist asked you to remember the previous traumatic event. At the same time, various changes occur in the person’s emotions and behavior. With time, the therapist guides them to alter their thoughts from negative to pleasant thoughts.
It’s not compulsory to only use hand tactics. Most of the therapists also use different audio signals. However, different therapists have reported the different effects related to this therapy. The most common effect is the reduction in the intensity of negative emotions. The initial phases include the identification of disease symptoms. The next therapy involves the association of memories and traumatic events with the current state of mind. Then in the next few sessions, a person gets calmer and pleasant state. This therapy has proven to be effective in many studies. Furthermore, this therapy generates better outcomes than other traditional therapies. This trauma therapy provides the positive outcomes.
Art therapy
Art therapy can also assist children and adults to better understand their thoughts, emotions, and resulting behaviors. In this therapy, children are asked to draw some images. As art is the best way to extract the inner feelings and emotions. Different psychiatrists can then understand their inner emotions by visualizing their images. Instead of talking with others, they feel pleasure in sharing their thoughts via images.
Efficient trauma therapy for adults
Several therapies are used to treat trauma in adults. The most common therapies include:
Comprehensive resource model therapy
In this therapy, mental health experts utilize the imagery protocol to deal with patients. They assist the patients in altering their behavior. The main goal of this therapy is to remove the distressing memories from thoughts.
Internal Family System therapy
This therapy involves the treatment of varied sub-personalities within family members. People think that sub-personalities can cause conflict among individuals. Conflicts can result in various issues in thoughts and behaviors.
Cognitive processing therapy
Cognitive processing therapy aims to alter the negative thoughts of individuals. With the progressive sessions, they learn to adapt their behavior to the environment. The number of sessions in cognitive processing therapy is approximately fifteen or twenty. Cognitive processing therapy is one of the most recognized cognitive behavioral therapy. The therapist guides the patient to change the intrusive thoughts in their mind. Because modification of thoughts is the best way to deal with mental issues. When the person experiences positive thoughts, various positive changes also occur in the personality.
Brief Electric therapy
This trauma therapy involves the combined aspects of different cognitive therapies. This therapy not only teaches the patient to adopt a healthy mental state but also healthy exercises. Patients learn how to employ relaxation exercises. The most common electric therapy involves the electroconvulsive therapy.
Electroconvulsive therapy
This trauma therapy is supremely effective in treating post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Moreover, electroconvulsive therapy is also used to treat anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and various other mental issues.
In this therapy, an electrical current of reduced frequency is applied to the brain cells. During the entire session, the patient is unconscious with the help of anesthesia. This therapy is feasible as compared to other traditional therapies. However, only professional therapists can perform the electroconvulsive therapy. Major studies have reported the long-term positive effects of electroconvulsive therapy as a trauma therapy against depression. This therapy also provides a long-term response.
Dialectical Behavior therapy
Dialectical behavior therapy is a modified type of cognitive behavioral therapy. With the help of this therapy, patients learn to live in the present moment. This therapy can treat post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms.
Moreover, they learn how to deal with the stress situations in a normal way. The eradication of stress factors is essential to live a prosperous life. Dialectical behavioral therapy as a finest therapy also assists them in developing healthy relationships. Individuals can then develop healthy bonds with their partners.
Different types of dielectric behavioral therapy include:
Individual therapy
This therapy involves the interaction of the individual with a single therapist. Patients learn different behavioral skills in a separate consultation.
Group therapy
As the name indicates, group therapy as a best therapy for trauama involves multiple therapists who treat multiple patients.
Phone Coaching
Patients who are unable to get physical appointments can also benefit from telehealth services. With the help of phone coaching, patients can communicate with mental health experts and ask certain questions regarding their mental health issues. This coaching or behavioral therapy is effective for those who are living in rural or distant places. Phone coaching is also a conisdred a significant trauma therapy to treat the body’s conditions.
Somatic therapy
Somatic therapy is considered the advanced form of cognitive behavioral therapy. They majorly focus on the physical state rather than the mental state. The somatic therapy is solely focused on the principle that trauma affects the body more as compared to the mind. However, somatic therapy somehow focuses on the mind and body connection.
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Polyvagal therapy
Polyvagal therapy prepares the person’s nervous system to deal with traumatic situations. Different sessions then teach the person to deal with traumatic situations accordingly. Moreover, polyvagal therapy also positively affects the connection between the body and the brain. Ultimately, it also affects mental stability. By targeting the nervous system, polyvagal therapy guides those strategies that can assist the person in coping with chronic anxiety factors. Polyvagal therapy is also a significant trauma therapy and provides the best results in treating the post traumatic symptoms.
Counseling for trauma
A professional psychological counselor can assist in the effective counselling of the patients. They can devise the best possible strategies after listening to the issues of patients. Highly competent mental health counselors suggest the best possible counseling strategy based on the person’s physiological condition. They create a secure environment where patients can share their issues without any hesitation. To adopt the best treatment, it is better to consult with a highly competent and skilled mental health counselor. Therefore, counseling for trauma matters a lot for the mental health of a patient. Moreover, trauma therapy also work best in conjugation with counseling for trauma.
Proficient trauma therapist
The main responsibility of trauma therapists is to treat patients who have suffered any traumatic event. Exceptionally skilled trauma therapists always obtain additional training for providing treatments. They specifically target the factors that can cause the onset of acute stress disorder and traumatic stress disorder. Therefore, consulting a skilled therapist is extremely important to get rid of this disorder. Renewed Mental Health Group offers supremely skilled therapists. They make a careful and detailed analysis before applying any therapeutic strategy or plan.
Conclusion
Trauma is a natural body reaction after harsh life experiences or situations, Persons with post traumatic symptoms face difficulty in living a normal life. They are unable to pay attention to their daily life tasks with effective focus and concentration. Sexual or childhood abuse, financial loss, losing a loved one are one of the major causes of traumatic symptoms. A great number of american adults experience the post traumatic symptoms in their life time. Moreover, each person body respond differently to traumatic situations. However, trauma therapy can effectively treat the post traumatic symptoms. Trauma based therapy and trauma counselling are the effective ways to deal with trauma symptoms.
To protect your child mental well being, you should also familiar that what type of therapy is best for childhood trauma. Moreover, you can also determine the trauma therapy for adults. If you or your loved one is suffering from any post traumatic symptoms, then take our assistance. Experts at the Renewed Mental Health Group are proficient in providing the different trauma therapy and trauma counselings. You will come across the best therapy for trauma. So give us the chance to assist you in acquiring your mental resilience.
