RECOVER FROM PAST TRAUMA AT LA MESA

Unfortunately, throughout our lives, most of us will experience some sort of trauma. According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, 70% of adults in the U.S. have been exposed to some sort of traumatic event. It does not discriminate and it impacts people from all walks of life, from all over the world. Trauma is our body’s natural response to highly stressful situations or events, such as an accident, illness, natural disaster, childhood abuse, sexual assault or military service. There are varying levels of trauma. Sometimes people experience physical or emotional symptoms for a few weeks, while others need more time and help to fully recover.

Jackson House La Mesa has a program dedicated to helping our clients overcome the traumatic events that are holding them back and keeping them from living their lives to the fullest. Our team understands how damaging trauma can be to one’s well-being, which is why we are here to help individuals develop the tools they need to move past it.

Our treatment program starts by helping clients identify the event at the center of their problems. This is the first step to long-term recovery. We use many different forms of therapy to help our clients process their trauma in a safe environment and develop skills to manage ongoing symptoms. Our program utilizes one-on-one therapy with certified psychologists and social workers, group therapy and clinically proven trauma-focused techniques designed to help clients work through their trauma in new ways. We always customize our treatment to the needs of each client in order to help them achieve their best possible outcome.

THE SYMPTOMS OF TRAUMA

It is important to remember that just like each event impacts people differently, trauma presents itself differently in each person. Some people experience emotional distress, while others develop physical symptoms of trauma, such as headaches or nausea. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. It is impossible to know how people will react when faced with a traumatic event. Many factors come into play including the type of event, existing mental health conditions, approach to dealing with emotions and exposure to other traumatic events.

EMOTIONAL RESPONSES TO TRAUMA

After a traumatic event, individuals may experience a wide range of emotions. While all of these emotions are normal, they can also be signs you are suffering from trauma.

• Sadness
• Anger
• Denial
• Fear
• Shame
• Confusion
• Anxiety
• Flashbacks
• Numbness
• Guilt
• Hopelessness
• Depressed
• Irritable

These symptoms may lead to difficulty in relationships, emotional outbursts, nightmares and insomnia.

PHYSICAL RESPONSES TO TRAUMA

When some people experience trauma, they have a physical response as well as an emotional reaction. Some common symptoms include:

• Headaches
• Nausea
• Digestive issues
• Sweating
• Feeling on edge
• Racing heart
• Change in appetite
• Alerted sleeping patterns

If trauma is not dealt with, individuals may go on to develop other psychological disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative disorders, substance abuse issues, depression or anxiety.

TRAUMA VS PTSD

Our immediate response to a traumatic event is known as acute stress disorder (ASD). For some people, ASD lasts for a few days up to a few weeks. Seeking help soon after a traumatic event can help individuals process their emotions in a safe environment and reduce their chances of developing PTSD.

When someone’s symptoms do not go away and even get worse with time, they are likely suffering from PTSD. PTSD can seriously impact a person’s ability to function and relate to others. They may have panic attacks, experience depression, struggle with suicidal thoughts, try to cope with their symptoms by using drugs or alcohol or feel isolated. Some individuals experience chronic PTSD, which can last for months following the initial event. While others can find themselves struggling with delayed-onset PTSD, which often doesn’t show up until months after the original trauma. PTSD is a serious illness. Fortunately, the team at Jackson House La Mesa has the training and tools necessary to help patients recover.

TAKE THE FIRST STEP

If you have experienced trauma and are having difficulty moving on with your life, please know you are not alone. The caring team at Jackson House La Mesa is here to help. We have a highly skilled team who have dedicated their careers to helping individuals overcome their past trauma. If you are ready to move forward, please give us a call at (888) 255-9280.