Trauma

What causes trauma? 

Trauma is a life-threatening, frightening, or emotionally damaging event. Psychological trauma refers to the emotional response and behavioral changes that occur after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event.  

The events that most often trigger trauma include:

• Sexual assault
• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Childhood neglect
• Military duty
• Gun violence
• Domestic violence
• Car crashes and other accidents
• Robbery or household invasion
  
  

Hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, fires, and other natural disasters also cause trauma. 

What symptoms occur after experiencing trauma? 

After a traumatic event, it’s natural to experience:

• Anxiety
• Fear
• Depression
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Irritability
• Anger
• Insomnia
• Social isolation
• Unpredictable feelings and mood changes
• Hypersensitivity (highly sensitive and reactive to sudden sounds and smells)
• Avoidance (staying away from people, places, and events reminding you of the trauma)
  
  

These symptoms improve in a few weeks for many people. Your provider diagnoses post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if your symptoms persist longer than a month.  

What is complex trauma? 

Complex trauma occurs after experiencing multiple traumatic events. Adults can develop complex PTSD. However, complex trauma usually refers to trauma during childhood, such as suffering long-term abuse and neglect. 

Complex trauma during childhood has a profound effect on a child’s development, resulting in physical and mental health challenges that persist through adolescence and adulthood. 

Adults with complex trauma may struggle with anger, have a hard time building personal relationships, and have a higher risk for substance use disorders, chronic physical illnesses, depression, anxiety, and self-harming behaviors.

How is trauma treated? 

The understanding team at DuPage Psychiatric Care PLLC specializes in trauma-informed care, meaning they understand the impact of trauma. But more importantly, trauma-informed care means they have the sensitivity to provide treatment without adding to your anxiety and trauma. 

Trauma treatment often begins with therapy focused on overcoming anxiety and learning how and why trauma causes such dramatic symptoms. 

Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (TF-CBT) is just one example of several therapies proven to help people struggling with trauma. TF-CBT includes learning relaxation skills, what to do with sudden emotions, and identifying and changing thoughts related to your trauma. 

Your provider may recommend medication management to improve problems like anxiety, depression, and anger. They may also ask you to consider transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS). 

TMS is a noninvasive treatment that improves nerve activity and boosts brain chemicals using magnetic pulses. Your symptoms improve as your brain activity improves. 

Call DuPage Psychiatric Care PLLC or use the online booking feature to request treatment for trauma today.