Trauma and PTSD
Trauma and PTSD is not just caused by unbelievably horrific experiences.
Trauma and PTSD can also come
from unexpected places.
The easiest way to identify trauma is to go back and recall past negative experiences and see if, while thinking about those experiences, any type of negative emotions hit you. If they do, then that memory was traumatic to you.
Triggers? Avoidance? How do you live with trauma?
I recently referred a friend of mine to go to therapy because he had some trauma associated with death. I even found him a therapist that specialized in trauma. His exact words to me were, “I can’t go to that therapist; she has the same name as my grandma who died.” This is a great example of a trigger.
A name, a song, or a place can all trigger the emotions to come flooding back from a difficult experience. Because of these powerful emotions, we also tend to avoid those things that trigger them. Therapy can help remove those triggers and the barriers that prevent you from fully living your life.
PTSD – Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Order
“I just can’t drive again after that accident! Cars just freak me out now. I know people get into accidents all the time, but for some reason for ME this is different. I can’t even see cars on TV because they make me anxious! I just sit at home and feel sad all of the time.”
Post Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD is often a debilitating disorder that can prevent you from experiencing any joy or happiness in life. Many people with PTSD lose hope that life can ever go back to normal – but with therapy, there is hope that life can once again be joyful.
Olson Family Therapy can help
Those negative emotions that you still experience today while thinking about your traumatic experience mean that those memories have a hidden long-lasting negative impact on your life.
Fortunately, those negative memories and negative feelings do not have to continue to have a hold on you. I am trained in a type of therapy than can help you move on both quickly and effectively. To learn more, see my EMDR Page.