Trauma is an event that threatens death, bodily harm or poses a risk to psychological well-being to you or someone close to you. Most people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lives, and the majority will recover without the need for special intervention.
However, in some cases, the effects of trauma can persist over time. These effects may include mood swings, heightened vigilance and anxiety, intrusive memories or flashbacks, sleep difficulties, sadness, and hopelessness. Such symptoms interfere with daily functioning at home, at work, and in social and family life. In many ways, these are normal responses to abnormal events, reflecting the mind’s attempt to process and cope with the trauma. Sometimes, these symptoms can persist intensely for months after the event, or they may arise only after some time has passed.
In such cases, seeking professional support is recommended to assist in the healing process.
How to Treat the Effects of a Traumatic Event?
First and foremost, trauma-focused psychological treatments are the first-line choice to help people deal with these consequences. Trauma affects how we perceive ourselves, others, and the world around us. Confronting a life-threatening event can lead to the belief that the world is inherently dangerous, that certain places or activities are unsafe, and/or that we are weak or incompetent. In addition, a sense of guilt or shame may develop, fueled by thoughts like, “Maybe I could have done something differently.” These beliefs often focus on specific aspects of the traumatic event while ignoring others.
In trauma-focused therapy, we aim to change behaviors (especially avoidance, both of safe situations and of memories) and explore the beliefs, thoughts, and emotions that arose following the trauma. By re-examining them, we work toward adopting more balanced and helpful perspectives that reflect the full reality of what happened. By working with the memories, thoughts, and emotions related to the trauma and understanding their meaning, it is possible to process the traumatic experience and restore a sense of safety and control.