Trauma is defined as a significant life event, that threatens our physical and/or emotional wellbeing. Traumatic events affect each person very differently depending on our genetic make-up, the way our personality is internally organized and the coping skills that are at our disposal at the time that the trauma occurs. Existing trauma history can further exacerbate the impact of a traumatic event. Traumatic events and the way we deal with them are also affected by our “attribution style”, i.e. whether we attribute the traumatic event to circumstances external to us, or whether we blame ourselves for it. The way we understand and interpret a traumatic event, can further affect our self-esteem, the way we perceive our environment, as well as shape our expectations from our future.
It is important to note that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop a trauma related disorder. However, given the complexity of traumatic events and the life-changing impact they can have on our lives, seeking the assistance of a therapist trained in trauma treatment even for a few sessions is recommended. In the event that we develop a trauma related disorder, such as PTSD or Acute Stress Disorder, therapists trained in trauma treatment will most commonly utilize evidence-based modalities such as EMDR, TF-CBT, sensorimotor processing, etc., to treat the disorder. Most of these techniques work on: a) expanding and strengthening the individual’s ability to cope with the challenging and disrupting symptoms caused by the trauma. b) identifying our strengths, i.e. our available “resources”, both internal and external (i.e. our support-net), c) teaching us to draw from our available resources to manage the uncomfortable physical, cogntive and emotional symptoms.
As highlighted above, one of the elements that seems especially important in the treatment of trauma is identifying how the traumatic event changed our perception of ourselves, and our perception of our world, and subsequently how we may be using it consciously or unconsciously to predict future events from happening. This type of perspective, while to some degree self-supportive, can possibly narrow our view of the world and the “self” significantly and keep us trapped in the traumatic cycle. Being able to recognize how some of the defenses that are meant to protect us may at times work against us is very important and is one of the steps that a trauma therapist may take when treating an individual.
Whether you are ready to open up and explore the impact of an old or recent traumatic event on you, or whether you want to better understand the impact that trauma has on your loved one, this is the best time to reach out to one of our trauma specialists.
Elena Bagourdi, PhD