TRAUMA
Life After Trauma: Finding the Strength to Go On
According to the American Psychological Association (APA), trauma is “an emotional response to a terrible event, like an accident, rape, or natural disaster.” However, a person may experience trauma as a response to any event they find physically or emotionally threatening or harmful.
You may experience a wide range of emotions both immediately after the traumatic event and in the long term. You may feel helpless, overwhelmed, and shocked. In addition to having difficulty processing your experience, you may also have physical symptoms, such as fatigue, anxiety, or depression. Psychologist Dr. Shannon Stepan works with New Yorkers who have undergone various traumas, compassionately helping them to understand their emotions, cope, and heal.
Should You Consider Trauma Therapy?
Do you have disturbing memories or images stuck in your mind? Are you having frightening dreams or nightmares about an event in your life? Are you having trouble functioning at home or work? Are you unable to form close, satisfying relationships? Are you suffering from severe fear, anxiety or depression? If your answer to any of those questions is yes, then trauma counseling can help you get control of your life, find some healing, and guide you through past events to help you overcome them.
Trauma Therapy with Psychologist Shannon Stepan
Therapy is the first-line treatment for trauma. People who are experiencing persistent or severe symptoms of trauma should seek help from a mental health professional, especially if the trauma symptoms are interfering with the functions of their daily life. Examples of traumatic experiences include:
- Physical, psychological, or sexual abuse
- Harassment
- Bullying
- Loss of a loved one
- Sexual assault
- Acts of terrorism
- War
- Natural disasters
Post Traumatic Syndrome Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD develops when the symptoms of a trauma persist or get worse over time after the stressful event. Symptoms include severe anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and a persistent memory of the event. PTSD can last for years. But treatment can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Risk factors for developing PTSD include previous trauma, physical pain or injury, experiencing other stressors at the same time (i.e. financial instability), having little to no support after the traumatic event, and having previous bouts of depression and anxiety.
What Are the Different Types of Trauma?
Types of trauma include the following:
Acute Trauma: occurs as the result of a single stressful or dangerous event.
Chronic Trauma: occurs from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly
stressful events. Child abuse, bullying and domestic violence are some examples.
Complex Trauma: occurs from exposure to multiple traumatic events.
Vicarious Trauma (or Secondary Trauma): occurs when a person develops trauma symptoms from close contact with someone who has experienced a traumatic event.
What Are Common Symptoms of Trauma?
Emotional responses to trauma include denial, anger, fear, shame, sadness, guilt, confusion, hopelessness, anxiety, and depression. A person may experience emotional outburst, difficulty coping with how they feel, and withdrawal from others. Flashbacks and nightmares are also very common.
Physical responses to trauma include fatigue, headaches, sweating, digestive symptoms, racing heart, and feeling jumpy. Experiencing hyper-arousal, the feeling of being in a constant of alertness, is also common, and affects sleep patterns.
Both emotional and physical responses to trauma can lead to other mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.
What Issues Does Trauma Therapy Address?
Trauma has a powerful capacity to shape a person’s physical and emotional well-being. Trauma can profoundly alter a person’s life course and diminish innate resilience. Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) has consistently been found to be the most effective treatment in treating trauma and PTSD. Through CBT, the therapist will address the patient’s symptoms, identifying and improving negative thinking and self-destructive patterns, help the patient understand how to let go and move forward, challenge fears with mindfulness and relaxation techniques, and set healthy boundaries.
Heal Yourself With Trauma Therapy
Feel like you’ll never escape the physical or emotional effects of your trauma? Schedule a consultation with leading New York City trauma therapist Dr. Shannon Stepan today.
