Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have a lasting impact on an individual's mental, emotional and physical well-being. It can be caused by a wide range of events, including physical and emotional abuse, neglect, natural disasters, accidents, and exposure to violence.
Trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, including feelings of fear, anxiety, and anger, as well as physical symptoms such as headaches, stomach aches, sleep disturbances and much more. It can also lead to a range of mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), depression and anxiety.
Symptoms of PTSD include flashbacks, nightmares and feelings of intense fear and anxiety. A person with PTSD could be triggered into the trauma memory by something visual, a sound or even a smell. This is because at the time the traumatic event happened, the Amygdala in the primitive brain, took a snapshot of the incident and stored it in the Hippocampus which acts as the brains filing cabinet. It stores this snapshot and from then on it is continually trying to match it to any situation in our environment. It does this to keep us safe, however, the primitive brain is not rational or logical, so it can be hyper vigilant and get things wrong sending us into fight, flight or freeze. The brain does not know the difference between imagination and reality, so even thinking about what happened can trigger a person, as the brain thinks it is happening to you right now in the present moment.
One of the most common symptoms of trauma is a feeling of overwhelming fear or anxiety. This an be triggered by a specific event or situation, or it can be a more general sense of unease. Trauma can also lead to feelings of guilt, shame, or self-blame, as well as a sense of disconnection from others.
In addition to emotional symptoms, trauma can also lead to physical symptoms. These can include headaches, stomach aches and sleep disturbances, as well as a range of other symptoms. Some people may also experience changes in their appetite and weight, as well as changes in their ability to focus or concentrate.
Depression is another common condition that can occur after a traumatic event. Symptoms of depression include feelings of hopelessness, sadness, and a loss of interest in activities that were once enjoyed.
Anxiety is another common condition that can occur after a traumatic event. Symptoms of anxiety include feelings of fear or panic, as well as physical symptoms such as sweating, racing heart, and difficulty breathing.
It is important to note that not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop mental health conditions, even two people who experienced the same traumatic incident can respond in different ways, because we are all unique individuals, but anyone who has experienced trauma may benefit from professional counselling, therapy, or support group.
Solution Focused Hypnotherapy and Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), including the Mind Reboot Process, can help process a persons emotions and feelings related to the traumatic event. It can also help them learn new coping strategies and develop new ways of thinking about the event. It moves people through the trauma and the triggers including any limiting beliefs that have occurred as a result of the trauma.
There are many other forms of therapy that can help with processing trauma, however, the method I use, ensures that clients are not re-traumatised and can work through their trauma in an effective, safe and relatively short amount of sessions. Clients do not even need to tell me about the trauma they have experienced as the methods I use mean that can we can work content free.
It is important to note that recovery from trauma is different for everyone. It is important to seek professional help if you or someone you know is struggling with the effects of trauma. It is also important to take care of yourself during this time and give yourself permission to take the time you need to heal.
In conclusion, trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can have a lasting impact on an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being. You do not need to struggle through this, help is available and can move you beyond these traumatic memories and feelings that are negatively impacting your life. Contact me on 07974789390 or email me at tanifserenity@gmail.com to discuss further how i can help you move beyond the trauma you experienced and so restore balance to your life.