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What Is Trauma

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What is Trauma?

Trauma: A powerful emotional response to a distressing event, such as war, an accident, the
unexpected loss of a loved one, or abuse. Trauma can continue to cause both emotional and
physical symptoms for many years after the event has concluded.

Trauma Risk Factors

 The traumatic experience was unexpected.  The trauma occurred during childhood.
 The victim has experienced past traumas.  Feeling of helplessness during the experience.
 The experience happened repeatedly, or  The victim is dealing with other major
over a prolonged period of time. stressors, unrelated to the trauma.

Symptoms of Trauma
Everyone’s experience with trauma is unique. Some people will develop every symptom, while others develop very few. The
following list of symptoms is not comprehensive, and should not be used to form a diagnosis.

avoidance of trauma reminders, irritability, anger, and other


exaggerated startle response
including memories negative emotions

flashbacks to the distressing dreams and other self-blame regarding the


traumatic event sleep problems traumatic event

Treating Trauma

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Exposure Therapy


Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is a During exposure therapy, the patient is exposed
common and well-supported treatment for to reminders of their trauma in a gradual and
trauma disorders. CBT works by identifying and safe way. With enough exposure, the trauma
challenging unhealthy thinking patterns that begins to lose its emotional power, and the
contribute to the symptoms of trauma. The symptoms diminish. Exposure therapies have
benefits of CBT can be long-lasting. extensive research support.

Medication Other Treatments


Medication may be used to manage the Many other treatments, such as Narrative
symptoms of trauma, such as anxiety, Exposure Therapy, Eye Movement
depression, and insomnia. Medication can be Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and
especially valuable when a person’s symptoms group therapy have all been found to be helpful
are so intense that they are unable to for survivors of trauma. It’s always ok to ask
participate in psychotherapy. your therapist what treatments they use.

© 2016 Therapist Aid LLC Provided by TherapistAid.com

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