Focused on increasing awareness about trauma and its effects, June has been designated as National PTSD Awareness Month. PTSD is post-traumatic stress disorder, an anxiety disorder that can have serious consequences for an individual’s mental and physical health. The good news is, there are effective intensive therapy programs for trauma treatment that can help that individual heal and regain control of their lives.
What is Trauma?
Trauma involves an event or experience that has a significantly negative emotional impact on an individual, often leaving them overwhelmed. The trauma can arise from an ongoing experience, such as the current COVID-19 pandemic, as well as from a single event such as a car accident. Witnessing the devastating event can also cause trauma that can stay with the individual until the emotional and mental response is appropriately resolved. Abuse, divorce, violence, and natural disasters can also cause trauma in an individual.
Who Suffers from PTSD?
While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is usually associated with the military, anyone can suffer from it. Part of the focus of PTSD Awareness Month is on helping people understand what it is and how it can impact a person. PTSD is an anxiety disorder that results from trauma. Not everyone who experiences a trauma will develop PTSD but if an individual is not able to fully process the event or experience, their body could continue to respond as if it is being threatened.
Over 5 million adults in the US suffer from PTSD. People who have the anxiety disorder can have trouble functioning on a daily basis, including performing the responsibilities of their jobs or maintaining quality relationships. An individual with PTSD may have flashbacks, nightmares, or frightening thoughts. Symptoms can also include emotional numbness, avoiding people and places that are reminders of the trauma, difficulty sleeping, and being easily angered and irritated.
Intensive therapy programs for trauma treatment can help the individual who has undergone a traumatic event or experience in their lives. Therapy can address the symptoms of PTSD and help prevent long-term or chronic consequences for a person’s mental health.
Effective Intensive Therapy Programs
Treatment for individuals who have experienced trauma can help them address their responses to the trauma. If their experience has led to an addiction to drugs or alcohol, therapy can also help uncover the underlying issues for their substance use. Effective intensive therapy programs for trauma treatment include:
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This form of therapy seeks to eliminate the negative emotions associated with traumatic memories. A nontraditional type of therapy that does not require the individual to explain the trauma, EMDR can help rewire the brain to help exchange negative self-talk and self-defeating thoughts for more positive behaviors.
Life Story Therapy. Writing about their history of trauma and substance use through life story therapy can help an individual realize the impact of their experiences. This is where the healing begins. Sharing stories in a group setting can also open the door for support from others.
Psychodrama. Role play and dramatic expression play a large part in this innovative therapy which increases an individual’s awareness of their trauma. Reframing the traumatic event from a new perspective can help the individual gain insight into their situation, developing more compassion for themselves in the process.
Trauma Egg Exercises. Recounting the trauma through written exercises can help the individual identify any false beliefs that may have come out of the trauma itself. The therapy can also help them better understand what they need emotionally as well as how to fulfill those needs in a safe and healthy manner.
Somatic Experiencing. This type of therapy focuses on the individual’s body sensations. They are able to safely experience their trauma-related sensations to more fully process the trauma itself.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT). A type of cognitive behavioral therapy, CPT teaches the individual how to challenge and change their trauma-informed beliefs. CPT is very effective in reducing PTSD symptoms.
Trauma Healing Starts at Makana Path
Trauma can have serious negative consequences for your mental and physical health. A traumatic event or experience can lead to an addiction to drugs or alcohol, used in an attempt to cope with the effects of the trauma. Breaking the painful cycle of trauma and addiction is possible. At Makana Path, we work with you to safely reprocess your trauma so you can regain control over your life.
We also understand the challenges of staying at home and social distancing during COVID-19 and remain open to provide the help you need during these challenging times. To learn more about trauma-informed treatment, contact Makana Path today by calling 1-866-313-0978.