What is trauma?
Trauma happens, and it comes in many forms. It can leave you feeling numb, terrified, confused, ashamed and out of control. We use the word trauma in its narrow sense to refer to overwhelmingly extreme stress.
Broadly speaking, there are 2 main types of trauma: single incident and repeated (complex) trauma.
In single incident trauma there is a clearly identifiable “single blow” incident which has led to the traumatic injury. Single events include things like car accidents, exposure to natural disasters and varieties of violent exposure.
In complex trauma (CPTSD), symptoms often result from exposure to severe stressors that are (1) repetitive or prolonged, (2) involve active harm or neglect from caregivers or ostensibly responsible adults, and (3) occur at developmental vulnerable ages, including early childhood and adolescence.
Trauma Treatment in Warrnambool
Signs and symptoms
When you’ve been traumatised, although the traumatic event has ended, the reaction to that event has not. Thus the traumatised person is plagued by distressing dreams, memories and flashbacks; struggles with powerful emotions and continues to use the same self-protective measures which occurred during the time of the traumatic event.
People tend to respond differently after a traumatic exposure but, broadly speaking, trauma symptoms tend to cluster into 3 main groups: intrusion symptoms (re-experiencing); avoidance symptoms; negative changes in thought and mood; hyper-arousal and reactivity; dissociative symptoms; physical symptoms; emotional dysregulation; relationship symptoms; behavioural symptoms.
Do you need trauma treatment in warrnambool?
At South West Mind and Body, we understand the deep and lasting effects of trauma. Reach out to speak to one of our trauma specialists, and get the support you need.
Impacts on Daily Life
Trauma can have a profound impact on daily functioning, disrupting relationships, emotions, memory, the sense of self and your experience of your body. Trauma is disruptive, and if left untreated, tends to get worse over time. You may find yourself grappling with overwhelming and confusing emotions such as anger, shame, guilt and depression. On the other hand, you might also find yourself painfully numb and empty. You might find yourself chaotically moving between the two, and it is this sense of internal chaos which can begin to affect your relationships, your work and your sense of identity.
You might also notice your physical health is affected. From chronic pain, headaches, fatigue to strange bodily sensations, trauma has an impact on your experience of your body. As Bessel Van Der Kolk famously states, the body keeps the score. Ftom this perspective, the body is equally as important as the ind in the treatment of trauma, and this is something we take seriously at South West Mind and Body.
How Therapy Can Help
At South West Mind + and Body, our trauma therapists work within a 3 phase model of treatment. A phasic treatment approach is evidence-based and represents the gold standard for trauma treatment and recovery.
Phase 1: Safety and Stabilisation
Develop emotional regulation capacities/reduce nervous system dysregulation
Ensure personal safety and social security
Develop skills, resources and tools to effectively manage distress, flashbacks, dissociation and emotional overwhelm
Learn to be more mindful and present
Balance recreation, work and rest
Create a general sense of stability in daily life, including sleep, self-care and healthy boundaries
Phase 2: Processing Trauma
Explore and make sense of past experience in a safe, structured way
Using traumatic processing techniques to discharge the emotional impact of traumatic memories
Phase 3: Integration and Reconnection
Strengthening your sense of identity beyond trauma.
Building healthy relationships and trust in yourself and others.
Cultivating meaning, purpose, and confidence as you move forward.