{"id":225,"date":"2023-10-25T23:37:35","date_gmt":"2023-10-25T23:37:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nursingatshandsjax.com\/?p=225"},"modified":"2023-10-25T23:37:35","modified_gmt":"2023-10-25T23:37:35","slug":"overcoming-trauma-healing-and-growth-with-a-clinical-psychologist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nursingatshandsjax.com\/overcoming-trauma-healing-and-growth-with-a-clinical-psychologist\/","title":{"rendered":"Overcoming Trauma – Healing and Growth With a Clinical Psychologist"},"content":{"rendered":"
Trauma can be caused by any situation that makes you feel overwhelmed and helpless. Whether it\u2019s a one-time event, like a car accident or robbery, or ongoing stressors, such as living in a crime-ridden neighborhood or childhood neglect.<\/p>\n
Recovery from trauma isn\u2019t easy, but it is possible. It typically involves the support of loved ones and a therapist.<\/p>\n
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A traumatic event can be any experience that causes significant emotional stress, whether it was caused by a natural disaster, physical injury, abuse or bullying, an accident, or a serious illness. The effects can include feelings of helplessness, fear, nightmares, flashbacks and difficulty forming close relationships. Unresolved trauma can cause problems like panic attacks, depression or an inability to work or go about daily life.<\/p>\n
Many people avoid people or things that remind them of the traumatic event. Others become withdrawn and emotionally distant. Occasionally, they may even develop complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD)<\/strong><\/a> if the trauma continues over time. Symptoms of trauma can also include feeling overwhelmed by everyday stressors, not sleeping well and having a hard time thinking clearly.<\/p>\n It is important to remember that everyone experiences different symptoms and recovers at their own pace. Sometimes the recovery process can feel long, especially if you are constantly reliving the traumatic experience or avoiding things that make it worse. It is essential to stay connected with loved ones and seek out professional guidance if your feelings persist.<\/p>\n Try to participate in social activities that don\u2019t revolve around the traumatic experience, but be comfortable if you aren\u2019t able to talk about it. It\u2019s also important to practice self-care and coping skills, including mindfulness and grounding techniques. The more you can make these a regular part of your routine, the less likely you will be to get stuck in the past or feel overwhelmed by the present.<\/p>\n A trauma trigger can be a sight, sound, smell, thought, or feeling that reminds you of the traumatic event. It can even be a combination of these. Your therapist will help you identify the specific triggers that cause your symptoms.<\/p>\n Sometimes the triggers are obvious, such as when you see a news report about your assault or hear your abuser\u2019s name. But other times the triggers are more subtle. For example, some survivors of sexual assault find themselves triggered when they see certain types of movies or pictures. You may not realize you are being triggered until your heart starts racing or you feel numb.<\/p>\n Trauma can rewire your brain, changing the way you think about yourself and others. As a result, your thoughts can be unhelpful and cause you to feel a variety of negative emotions like fear, anxiety, and self-blame.\u00a0Clinical psychologist Ballarat<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0can teach you how to understand your reactions and help you replace them with healthier thoughts that can calm your body and mind.<\/p>\nIdentifying Triggers<\/h2>\n