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Read articles from Journey to Wellness Counseling, LLC offers counseling therapy in southern CT and throughout Connecticut. Individual, Couple, Family, Group therapy, specializing in cognitive behavioral therapy, humanistic therapy, family systems therapy, bilingual services, hospice, end of life, and various mental health issues. via Telehealth, Zoom available.

Moving Beyond Trauma

Trauma is a likely emotional response to a shocking event. While shock and denial are typical immediate responses, longer term reactions may include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms. Support is crucial to a healthy recovery. Learn more about trauma and how to get help.

What is Trauma?

According to the Trauma-Informed Care Implantation Resource Center, trauma results from exposure to an incident or series of events that are emotionally disturbing or life-threatening with lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, and/or spiritual well-being. It feels overwhelming and can cause feelings of helplessness, affect the sense of self, or even the ability to fully feel emotions and experiences.

Episodes that can cause post-trauma symptoms differ dramatically from person to person. The event may be as large as a natural disaster or a personal assault or may be something that is less shocking to others.. It is more defined on the response rather than the trigger.

Experiences that may be traumatic include:

  • Physical, sexual, and emotional abuse

  • Childhood neglect

  • Living with a family member with mental health or substance use disorders

  • Sudden, unexplained separation from a loved one

  • Poverty

  • Racism, discrimination, and oppression

  • Violence in the community, war, or terrorism

What Are the Three Main Types of Trauma?

  • Acute trauma can result from a single incident

  • Chronic trauma occurs where there is repeated and prolonged such as domestic violence or abuse

  • Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature

What are the Long Term Effects of Untreated Symptoms of Trauma?

People affected by trauma may develop coping mechanisms to help alleviate the emotional and/or physical pain they feel as a result of trauma.. While these coping mechanisms may provide some relief, they can also contribute to anxiety, social isolation, and chronic diseases. According to the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, people who experienced 4 or more traumatic events prior to age 18 were:

  • 2 times more likely to smoke

  • 2.5 times more likely to have sexually-transmitted infections

  • 4 times more likely to have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

  • 7 times more like to consider themselves alcoholic

  • 10 times more like to have injected street drugs

  • 12 times as likely to have attempted suicide

What is the Impact of Trauma on Relationships?

Traumatic experiences can also impact relationships. When a person experiences trauma, he or she may feel unsafe, betrayed, and/or have difficulty trusting others. This may lead to heightened emotions, including anger or aggression, and a tendency toward shame, numbing, and/or isolation. When getting help, this can potentially affecting the patient’s engagement in care. by negatively impacting the bond between a patient and their provider.

What Can Be Done?

If you have experienced trauma, you know it can be excruciating. You may feel at a loss as to how to process the event or how you can even start to heal. You will crave a sense of safety again. The impact of trauma can cut deep, especially when it causes emotional or psychological harm. Please know that there is hope and you are not alone.

Please feel free to reach out to me at (203) 415-5162 or visit my website at www.journeyct.com.

Andrea-Lynne DeCrosta