“Trauma” is a term that is gaining in popularity these days. It should come as no surprise since modern medicine recognizes that you do not have to survive an actual war to suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Life offers plenty of traumatic events on a daily basis. You can suffer a debilitating trauma without ever setting foot on a battlefield, and that is a part of what makes trauma such a tricky disorder to recognize.
You can experience trauma without your brain acknowledging it at the time. You may not realize that you have been a victim of trauma until it shows up in your response to specific stimuli. One moment you might feel fine, and the next moment you can feel as though the world is closing in on you, and your body reacts in a state of pure panic. This change could be caused by something as simple as the way a person accidentally grabbed your elbow. You become the victim of your brain’s reaction to something that happened long ago.
What Caused My Trauma?
The cause of your trauma is specific to you. It can be brought on by the following situations:
- Abuse
- Neglect
- An accident
- The loss of a loved one
- A life-threatening event
Understanding where your trauma comes from is the first step in identifying the solution and the mechanisms to help you cope with it.
What Are the Signs?
What circumstances usually trigger your response? Is it with certain people or a specific setting? Identifying the key components that elicit a response from you is a key factor in finding the root of the disorder. As you begin to notice the commonalities of your triggers, you will start to understand what caused your trauma.
Coping Mechanisms
Are there tools and approaches others have used that could help you control or limit your response to triggering events? There are numerous resources for managing trauma on your own on the internet, but whenever possible, you should seek the help of a mental health professional.
Ask For Help
Trauma is difficult to navigate on your own, and it is always best handled with the help of a mental health care provider in addition to friends and family. A therapist or psychologist can help you trace the root of your trauma and guide you down a path of confronting and treating it.
Studies have shown that PTSD and substance abuse are commonly intertwined. To live your happiest and healthiest version of life, it is paramount that you fight back against your trauma before it gains more control over you.
Trauma is often left untreated or undiagnosed. Many of us are surprised to find that trauma may be the cause of many harmful patterns in our lives. It often takes an outside source to help us discover underlying traumatic events. Those same sources can teach us the healthy way to confront unresolved trauma and take control of our lives. The Guest House specializes in trauma treatment and can help you make your life your own again. For more information, call (855) 483-7800.