Acute trauma often happens from a single overwhelming event that threatens physical or emotional safety. Examples of acute trauma can include a car accident, assault or robbery, witnessing violence, or a sudden medical emergency. These are one time events that cause significant distress in an individual and often necessitates trauma counseling. Common symptoms include:
- Intrusive memories or flashbacks
- Loss of appetite
- Trouble sleeping / nightmares
- Free floating anxiety
- Avoidance of reminders of the incident
- Exaggerated startle response.
Several evidence-based therapeutic approaches can be helpful and highly effective. These approaches include:
- Somatic therapies
- Supportive and compassionate talk therapy
- Nervous system regulation work
- EMDR
On the other hand, Complex Trauma develops from repeated and prolonged exposure to traumatic events, often beginning in childhood. It is usually resulting from interpersonal relationships and is ongoing throughout an individual’s life. Examples of Complex Trauma include chronic childhood emotional, physical or sexual abuse, ongoing neglect, domestic violence exposure or repeated relational betrayal. Other Complex Trauma symptoms may include:
- Feeling not good enough
- Chronic feelings of shame
- Emotional dysregulation
- Dissociation
Treatment can often be longer term with Complex Trauma and the therapeutic relationship is often paramount in recovery. Healing requires the individual to learn to stabilize the nervous system as well as deeply process the trauma. If you are tired of feeling stuck, The Trauma Resource is here to help! Please call 410-984-8808 or email at wendy.berman.lcswc@gmail.com.
