Trauma Treatment
How To Recognize The Signs Of Trauma
Trauma is a very real experience that can have a significant impact on mental health. It is essential to be able to recognize the signs of trauma so that you can get the best trauma treatment if you need it.
Trauma can occur in many different forms, and it can impact people in different ways. If you are struggling with trauma, it is essential to seek dual diagnosis trauma treatment in New Jersey and how it can help you get back on track!
Liberty Wellness is a mental health and drug and alcohol rehab center in New Jersey. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you overcome your issues.
Liberty Wellness of New Jersey Makes Your Journey To Recovery As Stress-Free As Possible.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is a psychological term that describes an experience so distressing it can overwhelm and destroy any feelings of safety or security.
Causes of Trauma
Experiencing trauma events can manifest in the form of physical trauma, such as being involved in an automobile accident or seeing violence first-hand. It may also take on an emotional shape, like enduring grief from losing someone close to you or living through abusive situations.
Whatever form of trauma someone goes through, it can scar them for life- physically and mentally.
What Are the Signs of Trauma?
The effects of trauma can manifest in a myriad of ways, appearing as physical, emotional, social, behavioral, and psychological symptoms.
Examples of trauma symptoms may include:
- Unrecognized injuries
- Headaches
- Persistent pain
- Lethargy
- Sleep disturbances
- Stomach ailments
- Mood swings
- Irritability
- Panic
- Depression
- Rage
- Intrusive thoughts or memories
- Isolation
- Disengaging from interactions with loved ones
- Loss of interest in activities
- Issues with coworkers or classmates
- Self-destructive, unsafe practices
- Substance abuse
- Dissociation
- Hallucinations
- Bad Dreams
- Intrusive thoughts
How Can Trauma Impact Mental Health?
Trauma can have destructive repercussions for your mental well-being in the short and long run. For some, the aftermath of a traumatic event may be felt instantaneously. However, for others, it can take months or even years before its effects become apparent. Trauma can have various impacts on mental health, ranging from minor to severe. Among the most frequent repercussions are:
- Chronic Pain or Headaches
- Fatigue
- Gastrointestinal Complications
- Nervousness
- Shame
- Depression
- Anger
- Feelings of Remorse
- Emotional Dulling
- Eating Disorders
- Risky, Self-destructive behaviors
- Substance Abuse
- Sleep Disorders
- Mental Confusion
- Difficulty Concentrating
- Memory problems
- Negative thoughts about self or world
- Withdrawing from friends and family
- Loss of interest in activities
- Problems at work or school
- Isolation
- PTSD
- Dissociation
- Anxiety Disorders
- Depression
- Substance Abuse Disorders
Can Trauma Cause Substance Abuse?
Addiction and trauma frequently go hand in hand; many individuals who suffer from addiction have experienced some sort of traumatic event.
Trauma Statistics
Substantial evidence has demonstrated that there is a distinct correlation between trauma and addiction.
A comprehensive study discovered that the majority of individuals who sought treatment for substance abuse, around 60%, also had PTSD.
Studies have demonstrated that those who have suffered trauma are more likely to succumb to addiction than those who haven’t endured a traumatic event.
Trauma has been linked to addiction, and there are several explanations as to why this is the case.
Numbing Effect
A common explanation for substance abuse is that individuals who have gone through traumatic events use drugs or alcohol to suppress the anguish that they are enduring.
Utilizing substances can temporarily assuage the distressful emotions connected to trauma.
Coping Mechanism
Furthermore, survivors of trauma tend to use substances as a means of dealing with their traumas.
This is because substances can help to relieve the negative emotions associated with trauma temporarily.
Self-Medication
Another reason trauma and addiction are linked is that individuals may use drugs or alcohol to try and self-medicate.
This approach is incredibly hazardous because substance abuse can actually worsen trauma symptoms in the long run, leading to an even deeper descent into addiction.