Trauma & post-traumatic stress
What is trauma?
When we experience psychological trauma, we are responding to a highly upsetting experience. Trauma can be triggered by an isolated incident, such as a violent robbery, or a car crash, or a very extended period of distress. Many abused children are left acutely traumatised. An experience doesn't have to be out of the ordinary to provoke post-traumatic stress. For some people, discovering their partner has been cheating on them can be enough to trigger trauma.
The effects of trauma can be severe, causing symptoms such as anxiety, insomnia, panic attacks and depression. People may experience symptoms in the immediate wake of the trauma, or weeks, months, or sometimes, years after the event.
At Face to Face Therapia we know how distressing and frightening the effects of trauma can be. But with patience, and the right approach, post-traumatic stress is treatable. If you think you may be suffering the effects of trauma, please contact us. We can talk through your symptoms and get you the right help.
Am I suffering from post-traumatic stress?
Traumatic events can affect us in a number of ways, both physically and emotionally. Below are some of the most common symptoms of trauma.
- chest pains, nausea, 'racing heart'
- feelings of confusion, difficulty concentrating
- anxiety, feeling constantly fearful
- feelings of blankness and numbness
- panic attacks
- irritability, losing one's temper easily
- flashbacks and nightmares
- loss of trust in others
- feelings of guilt and shame, blaming oneself for the event
- feeling hyper-alert to 'threat', being easily alarmed
- depression
How do we treat post-traumatic stress?
Face to Face Therapia's founder, Melike Kayhan, is trained in the use of EMDR ('Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing'). This is a gentle but effective technique that helps 'unlock' distressing memories, enabling the brain to accept and move on from traumatic events. Many people also find one to one therapy helpful.
We are all different. Some people are most suited to one approach, others benefit from a combination of therapies. If you came to our centre we would discuss your symptoms with you and, together, decide on the approach that's best for you.
For more information, or to book an appointment with us, please get in touch.
