What is trauma therapy? It is a form of counseling that helps people understand what happened in their past, how it affects them today, and what they can do to create a healthier future. People who can benefit from a trauma care program often experience feelings of fear, guilt, and shame. They may also have difficulty managing emotions or struggle with intense flashbacks or nightmares. Call 833.551.2304 to speak with someone from the caring and compassionate team at Gulf Breeze Recovery about our trauma therapy options and how professional help can help you or your loved one lead a healthier, more fulfilling life.
What Is Trauma?
The word “trauma” originates from the Greek word for “wound,” “hurt,” or “defeat.” In the late 1600s, “trauma” was a Latin medical term for “physical wound.” By 1894, it came to represent “psychic wounds” as well. But what is trauma exactly?
Psychological trauma is literally damage done to an individual’s mind. The damage can be caused by an event or situation, one so stressful and overwhelming that the brain loses some control over the body. The person then experiences physical symptoms as outward manifestations of the anxiety within. Although trauma is different for everyone, it can be categorized into three general types:
- Acute – Trauma caused by one particular incident
- Chronic – Trauma caused and reinforced by an ongoing situation
- Complex – Trauma compounded by multiple issues
The list of events that can cause trauma is virtually endless. Commonly, trauma occurs after experiencing or witnessing an act of violence or a terrible accident. Victims of assault and battery, domestic violence, rape or other sexual abuse, or other violent crimes will invariably experience the effects of trauma. Soldiers put into combat situations are also prime candidates for experiencing trauma.
About Trauma and Mental Health Issues
When the trauma is severe, a person might develop a diagnosable mental health issue, such as:
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Agoraphobia or another phobia
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
- Panic disorder
- Selective mutism
- Separation anxiety disorder
- Social anxiety disorder
- Depressive disorders
- Substance use disorders
- Eating disorders
Trauma therapy is used to help people who have experienced trauma and its associated symptoms by assisting them in processing what happened and understanding its effect on their life. It can help them cope with what happened and move forward in a healthier, more fulfilling way.
In many cases, someone who suffered a traumatic event may not have done so alone. For example, family members who experienced routine domestic abuse together or strangers who survived a mass shooting might have had similar experiences. And yet how they process those experiences and cope with the subsequent trauma will be unique to each individual.
About Co-Occurring Conditions
The damaging effects of trauma can last long after the occurrence has ended. Some people may be able to “move on” relatively quickly or at least appear to do so, while others might carry the psychological scars for the rest of their lives. Unfortunately, the latter is quite common because trauma leaves deep mental wounds. These wounds alter the brain, thus changing one’s behaviors, attitude toward others, and life itself. In some cases, trauma leads to substance abuse, addiction, and co-occurring conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety.
These co-occurring conditions should be addressed hand in hand with addiction treatment. To that end, a comprehensive approach to trauma therapy at Gulf Breeze Recovery can help individuals who have experienced traumatic events find relief from their pain and move toward recovery and healing.
Find Trauma Therapy in Florida at Gulf Breeze Recovery
Gulf Breeze Recovery’s trauma care program utilizes advances in neuroplasticity to help those suffering from the effects of trauma co-occurring with substance abuse. Contact Gulf Breeze Recovery today at 833.551.2304 to learn more about our trauma therapy options in Florida.