Recognizing Trauma Responses

Posted: August 27, 2021

You may be familiar with the term, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which refers to an anxiety disorder that occurs after experiencing a life-threatening event. Common symptoms of PTSD include nightmares, flashbacks, avoiding reminders of the trauma, intense stress, tension, and anxiety, however, there are less common symptoms of PTSD that many people are not aware of, making it difficult to recognize and diagnose.

What is Complex Trauma?

Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) occurs when you’ve been exposed to multiple or ongoing traumas, stressors, or disturbing experiences. Because these symptoms are more subtle, they often go unnoticed or are misunderstood by the person experiencing them.

Symptoms of CPTSD

-Feeling detached from oneself or others

-Feeling confused, questioning reality

-Experiencing memory loss or gaps in memory

-Feeling intense shame and guilt

-Struggling with self-identity

-Experiencing challenges in relationships

-Struggling to regulate emotions, often reactive to stressors

-Experiencing confusing or distorted perceptions of the abuser

-Becoming easily overwhelmed

How Trauma Informed Therapy Can Help

I provide therapy for individuals who have experienced psychological, physical, or emotional trauma. If you are struggling with any of the above listed symptoms, therapy can help you:

-Understand your emotions and feel less reactive

-Feel less overwhelmed

-Experience healthier relationships

-Feel less anxious and depressed

-Heal from past trauma or upsetting experiences

Tips for Managing Trauma Responses

Ground yourself to the present moment. List five things you can see, feel, and hear, in your surroundings. This will emphasize that you are in the present, not the past.
Practice self-compassion and self-care. Identify what you need in the moment to feel safe and relaxed. Perhaps it’s taking a walk, talking to a friend, hugging a pet, or journaling.
Take deep breaths. Inhale for a count of 5, hold the breath for a count of 5, and then exhale for a count of 5. Repeat.
Ask for help! Most importantly remember you don’t have to struggle alone. Reach out to a trusted family member or friend for emotional support. Seek therapy for help in better understanding and treating symptoms.

Get Started with Trauma Therapy

Contact me to learn more about how online therapy can help you understand and heal from Complex Trauma.

Online Locations: Nashville, Tennessee – Brentwood, Tennessee – Atlanta, Georgia – Sandy Springs, Georgia – Greater Tennessee and Georgia Area