While the impact of trauma can have lasting affects throughout adulthood, the good news is that healing emotional wounds is possible and reactions to trauma can be improved with supports. Professional support from a therapist can help guide you down the path of healing at a pace that is appropriate since it is essential to first establish safety and stabilization, along with basic coping strategies before processing trauma memories.
According to the dictionary’s definition, trauma is “a deeply distressing or disturbing experience”. Trauma is considered a widespread problem that can impact people from all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.
Seeking out the voices from individuals who research, work with, and live in marginalized, and underserved communities helps provide a model for healing from trauma that is more representative to needs of those who are impacted by collective, historical, and/or inter-generational trauma.
Social media rumors, including “challenges” that encourage acts of defiance or violence, and the fear of school shootings recently had children, parents, and law enforcement supports on high-alert in response to a tiktok-school-threat warning. This warning was dismissed as not credible; however, many still feeling emotionally unsettled. Depression, anxiety, and responses such as fear impact can result from school violence and impact mental health. In 2021 alone, it was estimated that there were 149 incidents of gunfire-on-school-grounds, 32 deaths, and 94 injuries nationwide.
The past is an important part of who we are. Our early upbringing, childhood memories, school experiences, first sexual encounters, relationships, and key decisions that shape our present self. Do you ever feel as if there are aspects of your past that are holding you back to being fully present?
Safety and stabilization are a core component of trauma-related work. For individuals who have experienced trauma, memories may present as intrusive– showing up, repeatedly and without notice as a reminder to traumatic event (s).
The American Psychological Association (APA) defines trauma as a “an emotional response” to a terrible event like an accident, rape or natural disaster. You may have directly experienced a terrible event, learned about a terrible event happening to a close friend/ family member, or had a frightening experience in which there was actual or threatened death, injury, or violence.
Post-traumatic stress disorder is not easy to live with, and it can be incredibly challenging to witness a loved one struggle with the different symptoms that make up this disorder.
Outpatient therapy is a great option to consider for yourself of your child if either of you have found that you have been experiencing trauma after learning about a T1D diagnosis.
As an attorney you can often be exposed to the traumatic experiences of clients which can lead to experiencing trauma yourself which is often called secondary trauma. If you are being exposed to daily trauma outpatient therapy can be a great option to explore. Learn more about secondary trauma and treatment options below.
