How Trauma Can Leave a Lasting Impression

Traumatic events can interfere with physical and mental functioning and leave a long-lasting impression on the psyche. The Thriving Center of Psychology practitioners understand how trauma can affect your overall well-being. Our providers have the training and expertise to diagnose and treat the chronic and acute symptoms that traumatic events can bring about.

The Long-lasting Effects of Trauma

Trauma can refer to an abrupt or unanticipated event, such as the death of a loved one, serious illness, or auto accident. Trauma can also take place over an extended period, such as suffering years of sexual abuse. Trauma can also result from seeing something traumatic happen to someone else.

Consequences of trauma can be acute or chronic, and they can include:

• Mood swings
• Anxiety and depression
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
• Phobias
• Persistent guilt
• Behavioral changes

After experiencing trauma, you may start to feel withdrawn from family and loved ones and neglect your typical routine. You might also have difficulty regulating emotions like sadness, anger, or shame. It’s also possible that you could have PTSD-related flashbacks of the traumatic event.

Gastrointestinal issues, pain, and other physical conditions are potential side effects of trauma. If left untreated, trauma can spur many destructive or addictive behaviors that can damage your mental and physical health. Someone suffering from trauma may abuse drugs or alcohol, have suicidal thoughts, or engage in self-harm.

Treatment for Trauma

Time can have a healing effect to a certain extent. However, when trauma leads to physical and mental effects, it’s important to seek help from Thriving Center of Psychology as soon as possible.

An experienced psychologist or therapist will tailor a treatment plan that fits your needs to help you recover from your trauma. Psychotherapy (talk therapy) is an effective treatment that makes you more aware of the triggers related to your trauma. You can participate in individual, couples, or group therapy with your loved ones, depending on the amount of support you need to overcome your traumatic experience.

Our team at Thriving Center of Psychology also offers these mental health services:

• Anger management
• Neurofeedback
• Online video TeleTherapy
• Mediation and relaxation
• Life coaching
• Virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET)

VRET is an innovative therapy that treats PTSD flashbacks and anxieties that are too difficult to address with psychotherapy alone. With VRET, you can face your fears in a safe environment that your mental health provider controls.

Ongoing Therapy Options

Thriving Center of Psychology also provides customized therapy for anger management, sleep disorders, and other issues that emerge because of trauma and interfere with daily life. Your treatment is intended to help you get back to functioning and thriving so that your trauma no longer holds you back.

To get help dealing with past trauma, book an assessment online or over the phone with Thriving Center of Psychology today. You can schedule an in-person visit or work with your provider via online video TeleTherapy.