There are so many ways in which we can hurt each other. Some of these ways leave much deeper scars than others. Maybe it wasn’t something that happened to you, but something that you witnessed. There are many ways in which trauma can become part of your life, none of which are nice or easy to process. Trauma is something that many people live with every day, and it is important to remember that you are never alone. The next person will not have an identical experience to you, but they can empathize with the emotions and thoughts that come along with experiencing something traumatic.
Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a severe anxiety disorder. PTSD can develop after exposure to an event that results in trauma either physically and/or mentally. There is no one trauma that will give you PTSD. You may experience flashbacks, hallucinations or nightmares due to the trauma that you suffered. You may also have trouble falling asleep or staying asleep. Outbursts of unpredictable and acute episodes of anger are also another symptom of PTSD. These symptoms have a severe impact on your day to day functioning and can have long term consequences if not dealt with.
It will be very difficult for you to voice your thoughts and feelings about the trauma, but it is important to learn how to rebuild trust and relationships after such an event. I will be there to nurture and support growth in all areas while we work through your trauma and/or PTSD symptoms. Together we can create a safe environment and relationship so that you can feel confident in sharing. We can work together on moving past your trauma, and get you looking towards the future with hope instead of fear.