Are you troubled by nightmares, fearful of falling asleep? Do you find that you are hyper-aware of your surroundings and occasionally find your reactions to be out of proportion to the situation at hand? Have you been exposed to an overwhelming incident or series of events that have left you feeling upset and distressed?
Trauma is any situation that is overwhelmingly stressful that leaves you feeling unsafe and helpless. These experiences may often be a threat to life or safety, (such as sexual assault, motor vehicle accidents, experiences of first responders, military involvement, to name a few). However, any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed or alone with no support, can be traumatic, even if there is no threat to life or safety (divorce, loss of a loved one, workplace bullying, living with severe illness). It is the personal experience of an event that determines if the event is traumatic not the event itself.
Some Trauma questions to consider may be:
- Are you struggling with anger, irritability or mood swings?
- Do you find that you are in denial or disbelieve that you have been impacted?
- Do you feel sad or hopeless after a traumatic incident?
- Are you struggling to concentrate?
- Is your life being impacted by anxiety or depression
- Have you withdrawn from family, friends or people you care about?
- Do you feel disconnected and numb?
- Are you struggling with sleep or nightmares?
- Are you easily startled?
- Do you experience unexpected aches, pains or are easily and often tired?
Counselling for trauma can:
- Deal with daily stress.
- Identify and manage triggers related to the trauma.
- Learn ways to manage your stress and distress linked to the trauma.
- Process the traumatic memories or events in order to integrate them into your life so it is no longer overwhelming.
- Promote increased interpersonal relationships.
