TRAUMA (ADULTS)

Trauma impacts every aspect of your functioning and may leave you feeling numb, isolated, or agitated. Trauma most often imprints in our minds and bodies that we have been involved in  or witnessed an event in which we experienced a loss of control and, in turn, an inability to take protective actions, making us feel helpless. 

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Influences of Trauma

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• Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD); 

• Physical abuse;

• Sexual abuse or assault; 

• Emotional abuse; 

• Neglect; 

• Domestic violence; 

• Community violence;

• Bullying; 

• Racism or discrimination;

• Natural disasters;

• War; and/or,

• Refugee trauma. 

Common Symptoms of Trauma

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• Feelings of shock, denial, or disbelief; 

• Difficulty concentrating; 

• Increased irritability or mood swings; 

• Increased anxiety or fear; 

• Withdrawing from others; 

• Feeling disconnected or numb;

• Flashbacks to the traumatic event; 

• Physical symptoms such as headaches, chest pain, or nausea; 

• Feeling overwhelmed or frustrated; 

• Change in appetite;

• Difficulty sleeping; and/or; 

• Difficulty enjoying things you used to enjoy.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder  (PTSD) refers to individuals that experience a struggle with feelings and emotions related to surviving or living through a traumatic event, such as a car accident or domestic violence. Usually developing following the traumatic incident, post-traumatic stress results through continuously reliving the traumatic incident or the upsetting thoughts related to the stressors of the event.  Left untreated, post-traumatic stress can negatively impact one’s life, leading to increased isolation, depressive episodes, or suicidality. 

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Common Symptoms of PTSD

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• Intrusive memories, such as recurrent or unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event; 

• Avoidance of thinking or talking about the traumatic event; 

• Developing negative thoughts about yourself or others; 

• Increased feelings of hopelessness;

• Difficulty maintaining close relationships or feeling detached from family and friends; 

• Lack of interest in activities you once enjoyed; 

• Difficulty sleeping; 

• Difficulty concentrating; 

• Feeling like you are always on guard for danger; 

• Engaging in self-destructive behaviour, such as drinking excessively, experimenting with recreational drugs, or driving too fast; and/or, 

• Feelings of guilt or shame. 

Is it Time to Make a Change?

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Often, trauma tricks you into thinking that you are unsafe and it causes you to experience anxiety and depression. However, this does not need to be your way of life. You do not need to “cope” with anxiety. Through our support, our goal is to support you in achieving resolution through gently finding ways to resolve your trauma. In developing tools that you can use consistently to regulate your experience of a traumatic event, you will learn to achieve a new way of living. If you are noticing that you want to reengage with your life and gain control again, it is time to make a change and reach out to our team.