A traumatic event is one that causes long-term harm, physically, mentally, or emotionally. Common examples of trauma include sexual abuse, war combat, natural disasters, and domestic violence. Whatever the traumatic event or circumstance is, it negatively impacts the victim’s life. One might have nightmares about their trauma every night or suffer from anxious thoughts related to the event. They might even experience uncontrollable physical reactions to people, places, or things that remind them of their trauma.
“There is no timestamp on trauma. There isn’t a formula
that you can insert yourself into to get from horror to healed.
Be patient. Take up space. Let your journey be the balm.”
–Dawn Serra
If the trauma goes unaddressed or is not properly managed, the victim might develop a condition called posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD comes with harmful symptoms like flashbacks, fear, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, emotional detachment, guilt, and more. The good news, though, is that it isn’t too late for an individual with PTSD to heal from the traumatic event they have experienced and live a happy, healthy life again.
Have you witnessed a traumatic event? Consider working with a trauma therapist, psychologist, or counselor at Thriveworks Bethesda. We have experts on staff who specialize in helping clients work through trauma and manage symptoms of PTSD. They have tools that will help you heal properly. To schedule an appointment, just give us a call at (240) 513-3093. A scheduling specialist will take your information and then set you up with a skilled, caring provider who can help you live better.
Do I Have PTSD? Signs and Symptoms
You might not recognize the signs and symptoms of PTSD, even if you are suffering with the disorder yourself. PTSD is characterized by the following:
- Your life was threatened or you suffered a serious injury
- You’ve developed symptoms related to your trauma, like recurrent nightmares or thoughts, flashbacks, or intense distress when exposed to triggers
- You go out of your way to avoid triggers, as demonstrated by your effort to avoid harmful thoughts, feelings, or external stimuli.
- You display outburst of anger, moodiness, or reckless behavior related to the traumatic event
The symptoms above can change life as you know it. They can make getting out of bed, concentrating at work, and enjoying your relationships extremely difficult. Fortunately, you can get effective treatment for your PTSD or traumatic experience. A trauma therapist or psychologist at Thriveworks Bethesda can help you to process the trauma, manage the damage, and ultimately live a happier life.
How Does Trauma Therapy Work?
The therapists at Thriveworks Bethesda understand that every trauma is different. If you decide to partner with one of our trauma therapists or psychologists, they will first work to understand your specific experience and presentation of symptoms. They will then come up with a treatment plan that will best help you. Your trauma therapist will use multiple techniques to help you process the trauma, manage symptoms, and accomplish your goals in therapy. Several common goals include:
- Coming to terms with the trauma
- Properly managing PTSD symptoms
- Learning tools for relapse prevention
- Improving quality of life
- Focusing on a better future.
Every traumatic experience is different, which means every experience in therapy needs to be different. The trauma therapists at Thriveworks Bethesda tailor treatment to each client. They will work to provide the very best care for you. If you have witnessed a traumatic event and have yet to address it, give us a call today. We want to help you heal as soon as possible. And as far as we’re concerned, you’ve already waited long enough! Get back to a happier, healthier you.
Schedule an Appointment for Trauma Therapy at Thriveworks Bethesda
If you’ve experienced a traumatic event, it’s important you get the proper care and treatment. The trauma therapists and psychologists at Thriveworks Bethesda possess a unique set of skills, have gone through extensive training, and have plenty of experience to help you live better. Additionally, they truly care about your wellbeing and they want to see you get back to that happy, healthy person you were before.
When you’re ready, call us at (240) 513-3093 to schedule an appointment. We look forward to hearing from you and we will be ready to get started!
Domestic Abuse, Anger, Behavioral Issues, Coping Skills, Self Esteem, +6 more 
