Childhood sexual assault. Chronic abuse. Pain. Rape. Incest. Severe car accidents. Death. Natural disasters. Loss. Hospitalization. Childbirth. Military service. First responder calls. Sudden life changes.

These are just a small number of the various traumas we may live with. Human beings are capable of enduring extreme events. But, just because we can endure them doesn’t mean we can’t also explore ways to release the hold they can have on our lives.

Everyone Responds To and Heals From Trauma Differently

For some of us, trauma has little effect on our daily lives. It’s something we live with and manage as needed. Triggers may occur, but do not inhibit our day-to-day functioning.

For others of us, trauma can be debilitating. A word. Smell. Taste. Image. Song. Place. Person. Any of these can be enough to send us right back to that moment of impact.

No matter how you are affected by the trauma, it is important to work through this experience. Even the strongest, most self-aware survivors are not immune to the long-term effects of untreated trauma.

These long-term effects of trauma can include, but are not limited to:

• Chronic pain and illness
• Flashbacks
• Anger and rage
• Violence
• Depression
• Anxiety
• Addiction and Eating Disorders
• High-risk behaviors

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary. The people we trust with that important talk can help us know that we are not alone.” ~ Fred Rogers

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

Perhaps your doctor, family member or friend has suggested that you might have Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.  You’re wondering, “Is that true?  Could I really have PTSD? Isn’t that just something that happens to people who see combat in the military”  The truth is that PTSD is much more common than people typically think.

PTSD is can look a little different from person to person, but in general, PTSD happens when the brain experiences something so overwhelming that it can’t recover naturally on its own.  You may feel stuck or held back by what happened to you.  The good news is that counseling can help!

PTSD Symptoms

If you have some of these symptoms, it’s a sign you may have PTSD and it’s time to see a trauma therapist.  While PTSD looks a little different in everyone, here are some of the common signs of PTSD:

• Intrusive, distracting memories of the traumatic event
• Nightmares or trouble sleeping
• “Flashbacks” where you suddenly feel like you’re re-experiencing the trauma
• Difficulty remembering parts of the trauma
• Negative thoughts or beliefs about yourself, others & the world
• Persistent fear, horror, anger, guilt, or shame
• Feeling detached or uninterested in others
• Difficulty feeling happy or other positive emotions
• Feeling irritable or even aggressive
• Feeling “on edge”
• Being easily startled
• Problems with concentration

It’s important that you don’t need to have all of the symptoms above to be diagnosed with PTSD.  Therefore, if any of these sound familiar or you’re just feeling “stuck” after a traumatic experience, I encourage you to reach out.  Our trauma therapists can speak to you about what you’re experiencing and help you figure out if trauma therapy is a good fit right now.

I can’t have PTSD, because what I went through really wasn’t that bad

However, it’s also true that many people have PTSD and don’t realize it.  Many people associate PTSD with military trauma or rape.  You may be thinking, “What I went through wasn’t really that bad, so surely I can’t have PTSD.”

It turns out people can develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) from any type of trauma.  If you go through a situation that overwhelms your typical ability to cope, particularly if you feel like you or someone you care about is in serious danger, then you may develop symptoms of PTSD.

Do I need to have PTSD to benefit from Trauma Therapy?

The short answer is, no. But, if you’ve been through something stressful, you’ll benefit from trauma therapy whether or not you develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).  So, if you’re feeling held back or stressed by something that traumatic that has happened to you, please give us a call.

EMDR: Effective, Evidence-Based Trauma Treatment

Importantly, there are many different ways for therapists to treat trauma. One of the most effective and popular ways to address trauma is EMDR. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a specific psychotherapy treatment option developed to lessen the stress and anxiety associated with traumatic events.

The experience of EMDR will vary by individual. But, you can read more about the general process and ask your therapist for more information. Trauma is not fair. It isn’t deserved. Most of all, trauma is not your fault. When you are ready to share your story, we are ready to hear it.

Ready to Take Back Control and Conquer Your Trauma?

If you are looking to establish care for yourself or a loved one at our Indianapolis treatment center, we are ready to get started. Trauma does not have to define your life forever. We know you have questions, so please follow these simple steps to move forward in your life:

1. Contact us to set up your first appointment.
2. Meet with a skilled, caring therapist.
3. Work toward healing and the next chapter of your beautiful life.

Other Mental Health Services Offered in Indianapolis, IN

Did you know? Our founder’s original passion and experience is in eating disorder treatment, supporting parents and partners, and addiction recovery. We also love working with individuals and families who are ready to work on various concerns, including counseling for sexual assault and domestic violence and specialized EMDR treatment for trauma. Throughout the year, we also hold workshops and groups for a number of issues you may be dealing with. Please reach out and let us know how we can help support you to live your best, most fulfilled life.