A person suffering from trauma loses the ability to accept the situation and diminishes their power to embrace the full range of emotions and experiences. It is one of the most suffered health issues in the world. According to WHO, more than one-third of people have experienced trauma in their life. There are no objective criteria to evaluate the events which will cause traumatic symptoms. Some of the noticed reasons for trauma are -

· Sexual abuse or assault

· Domestic violence

· Illness and injury

· Disasters

· Death of loved ones

· Experiencing and witnessing an act of violence          

Some of the symptoms of traumatic shock -

The feeling of helplessness, pain, and confusion leads a person toward the way of trauma. The symptom differs from person to person, as the situation is unique to everyone. Some of the known symptoms are - 

· Easily frightened by persons and situations.

· Defensive towards danger

· Drinking too much alcohol and other narcotic drugs

· Trouble sleeping

· Aggressive behavior and irritation

· Trouble concentrating

· Formidable guilt and shame.

What is trauma therapy?

It is a specific approach that recognizes the root cause of trauma and the impact it has on the person’s mental, physical, behavioral, emotional, and spiritual well-being. The therapist tries to build a friendship and trustworthy relationship with the patient in a loving atmosphere that leads the patient to share their traumatic experience with them. From the way of explanation of that particular trauma and many other signs, the therapist evaluates the situation and recommends some of the required techniques to heal the patient. There are multiple types of therapies that can help treat trauma; some of the most popular techniques are -

1. EMDR (Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing)

It is a process with multiple phases. The therapists, in this process, reconnect the person to images, self-thoughts, emotions, and sensations that are associated with the certain trauma in a safe and secure way to increase the body’s natural healing powers to recover the person from the trauma.  

2. CPT (Cognitive Processing therapy)

In these psychotherapy sessions, the therapist teaches the traumatized person to evaluate and change the upsetting thoughts into positive ones to heal from past wounds.

3. TF-CBT (Trauma-focused cognitive behavior therapy)

This specific kind of CBT is composed of a three-phased process called stabilization, trauma narration, and consolidation. It is applicable to all ages. 

Summary -

Trauma is the response to a deeply disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope with the situation. A traumatic past can present challenges to a healthy future. To recover from the painful past, get an appointment with a Trauma licensed professional counsellor in Phoenix, Ahwatukee and surrounding areas of Chandler, Laveen, Tempe and Gilbert and reframe a beautiful future.