Trauma & PTSD
In the world of mental health, trauma was historically limited to war veterans who saw heavy combat and returned home with a condition then referred to as “shell shock.”
Soldiers exhibited feelings of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and guilt, coupled with fear and a sense of being “on edge.” As research in mental health progressed the term given to address such symptoms became Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder or P.T.S.D. For years the discussion around trauma was limited to large catastrophic events. But, over time it has become more widely accepted that trauma is any event that is distressing and causes one to fear for their own safety, physical or emotional.
In the world of counseling, we hear plenty of stories that begin with “I had a great childhood.” But over longer, more in-depth conversations we find out that someone broke an arm, needed stitches, experienced someone close to them dying, or struggled with the stress of their parents’ divorce. The list of examples could be a mile long. The point is that we tend to think of trauma as big events affecting other people like veterans, police and firefighters, and others in the community of first responders.
However, trauma is not just big “T” moments. It can be a series of little “t” events that tell you of a lack of safety in your world.
The biggest complicating factors in how trauma affects us are age/brain development and the language that adults use around our childhood selves to explain uncertainty and our lack of safety. We do not want to gloss over those who have suffered large tragic events, and we also need to acknowledge that people who have suffered a series of unsafe and stressful events, especially at a young age can be misinformed about their own safety and have their sense of self-worth drastically impacted.
Brain Function
The brain is incredible at making patterns and identifying cause and effect. It’s part of our survival instinct. The brain wants to identify patterns to make sense of the world around us and keep us safe. It files information away in narratives that we return to again and again when making decisions. However, traumatic events are like hot memories that the brain struggles to find a proper place to store.
A memory or emotional experience might lay dormant for a while. But, it can be woken up when you experience another event that feels stressful and unsafe, triggering an emotional response that is tethered to the fear and damage of an earlier experience. A traumatic response most commonly requires a pair of experiences; two events or instances that link in the brain and body as unsafe, physically, emotionally, or otherwise.
Someone is “triggered” or has a “trauma response” when the emotional reaction to an event is not congruent with or is larger in scope than the actual event warrants. Trauma informs our narratives about the world around us and our place in it. It’s like living in the past when logically we know it's the present day. Experiencing trauma can frequently result in depression, anxiety, a feeling of being stuck, and frustrations with ourselves and those around us.
The Hope
So many of our narratives are pieced together in our brains when we are very young. The narratives we tell ourselves may be useful and preserve us at a certain age or in a specific chapter of life. However, those same narratives may be getting in the way as we get older and our lives become more complicated or even more stable. Trauma can have a ripple effect through our psyche and the many different types of relationships we maintain as adults. It’s important to know that healing from trauma is really possible, but it will require real work in trauma therapy.
Start Working With a Trauma Therapist in Saint Paul, MN
If you're ready to break free from past trauma and create a life where you feel safe, understood, and empowered, reach out to our team of caring therapists. Healing is possible, and we're here to support you on this journey. You can start your therapy journey with Sage Leaf Wellness by following these simple steps:
Contact us today for personalized EMDR therapy tailored to your needs.
Meet with a caring therapist
Start reducing trauma-related symptoms and more!
Other Healing Services at Sage Leaf Wellness
At Sage Leaf Wellness, we are committed to helping you heal. In addition to trauma therapy, we use many other theories and methods. The team at SLW is passionate about finding the right fit to gain the best outcome for your healing. Our services include Anxiety Therapy, EMDR Therapy, Marriage and Couples Counseling, and more. Hop over to our scheduling link to set a free consultation or appointment today!