Has a painful experience left you feeling overwhelmed, afraid, alone, and unable to cope? Are you experiencing lingering anxiety, fear, and depression from your trauma? Do you feel powerless to manage the thoughts and emotions surrounding what happened to you? Whether you have had a single traumatic event, or have experienced years of trauma, you don’t have to face this alone. There is hope!
What Is Trauma?
Trauma is the emotional response that you have after something terrifying has occurred in your life, such as being in a car accident, being sexually assaulted, experiencing childhood abuse, or living through a natural disaster. Many people initially go through feelings of shock and denial; other symptoms may show up later. Trauma that isn’t processed can cause unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms, such as headaches or auto-immune disorders. Almost 70% of adults in the United States have experienced some kind of traumatic event.
Events That Can Lead to Trauma
- Physical, emotional, and sexual abuse
- Domestic violence or assault
- Severe accidents
- Natural disasters
- Death of a close family member or friend
- Living in a dangerous environment or witnessing violence
- War or combat
- Life-threatening illnesses or surgeries
Symptoms of Trauma
It is normal to have emotional reactions following a trauma. Symptoms like the following may last for days, weeks, or even years, depending on whether the trauma is dealt with.
- Headaches, backaches, stomachaches, etc.
- Panic attacks, shortness of breath, sweating, or heart palpitations
- Trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, or reduced interest in sex
- Digestive issues like constipation or diarrhea
- Feeling easily startled or on edge
- More susceptible to colds and illnesses
- Increased use of substances or food to cope
- Fear, anxiety, depression, or anger
- Mood swings
- Nightmares and flashbacks
- Tendency to isolate oneself or feeling detached
- Difficulty trusting and/or feelings of betrayal
- Self-blame, survivor guilt, or shame
- Loss of interest in everyday activities
For many, support from loved ones is enough to recover from trauma. But for others, trauma can linger and lead to deeper emotional pain, fear, confusion, or even PTSD.
What is PTSD?
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health disorder that can develop after a person is exposed to one or more traumatic events, such as violence; abuse; severe accidents; or natural or human-made disasters. Nearly 4% of U.S. adults experience PTSD each year, with women being affected at twice the rate of men. PTSD can affect any person at any age.
Signs of PTSD:
- Intrusive thoughts: Repeated memories, distressing dreams, or flashbacks that make you feel like you’re reliving the trauma.
- Avoidance: Steering clear of people, places, or situations that remind you of the trauma, or avoiding thinking or talking about it.
- Negative thoughts and feelings: Persistent feelings of guilt, shame, fear, or anger. Thoughts like, “I’m worthless” or “I can’t trust anyone.”
- Arousal and reactivity: Irritability, anger, reckless behavior, hyper-vigilance, poor concentration, or trouble sleeping.
If these symptoms last longer than a month, they may indicate PTSD. Symptoms can surface months or even years after the trauma and may persist without treatment.
There Is Help for PTSD
You don’t have to live with PTSD forever. Effective treatments are available to help you regain control of your life.
“[I] went about 6 months ago when I was suffering very heavy depression among other things. Epp Counseling was able to help me identify where the problems were and worked on a plan with me to overcome them. Now I'm feeling back to my old self and happier than I have been in a long time. Highly recommend if you're looking to overcome some issues.”
Former Client
How Can Therapy Help with Trauma and PTSD?
Early intervention can prevent the onset of PTSD. If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms of trauma or PTSD, counseling can provide the support you need to process your experiences. Therapy can help you develop healthier coping strategies and address the effects of trauma.
Both EMDR Therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) have been proven to be highly effective for treating trauma. I am an EMDR Certified Therapist™, fully trained in both EMDR and CBT.
- EMDR Therapy uses bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or tapping, to help your brain process traumatic memories so they no longer feel disturbing. You’ll replace negative beliefs with positive ones, allowing you to feel more empowered in your life.
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) helps you change unhelpful thinking patterns related to the trauma. Through CBT, you can improve your emotional well-being and adopt healthier behaviors.
Trauma Therapy in Fort Myers, FL
I have witnessed firsthand how my client’s lives transform through therapy for trauma and PTSD. If you’re struggling with the aftermath of trauma, please reach out for a free 15-minute consultation. I am confident that I can help. My practice is located in Fort Myers, FL, and I would be honored to support you on your healing journey.
