Recent research and growth in public awareness of the effects of trauma have led many people to ask, “Have I experienced trauma?” Oftentimes, people will explain away traumatic events as normal experiences, even if they continue to disrupt their daily life and cause undue stress. But was it just a bad experience, or is it trauma? If you feel that a traumatic event impacts your quality of life, it might be time to seek treatment at an Idaho trauma therapy program.
Imagine Boise is Idaho’s premier trauma treatment center for adolescents ages 12-17. You can reach our team to hear about treatment options by calling 888.597.2807.
What Is Trauma?
What is trauma? Put simply, trauma involves an intensely emotional response to a catastrophic event. It could be a reaction to a car accident, assault, natural disaster, loss of a loved one, or other events.
What makes an experience traumatic is its effect on you; people who are experiencing trauma can feel as though they are in shock, deny the event, or experience intense anxiety or flashbacks.
As such, trauma is much more severe than a simple negative experience. A single traumatic event can color someone’s emotions and perceptions for months or even years of their life. Trauma may develop into post-traumatic stress disorder if not treated appropriately.
Signs of Trauma
Several signs can answer the question, “Have I experienced trauma?” These signs of trauma include:
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling numb or disconnected
- Feeling hopeless, sad, or depressed
- Intense anxiety or fear
- Feelings of guilt, shame, or remorse
- Withdrawing from your usual social circles
- Anger or mood swings
Clearly, the signs of trauma indicate significant psychological impairment. They can stand in the way of people living healthy and fulfilling lives and may interfere with your everyday responsibilities.
It should be noted that a strong reaction to trauma is not a sign of weakness or fragility. The catastrophic events that can constitute trauma are typically outside the range of what most people experience. The psychological response to trauma is an attempt to protect a person from future harm. But often, this response is out of proportion to the actual danger and can lead to more harm than good. Maintaining vigilant mental health awareness when interacting with teens and adolescents can make all the difference. Developing this awareness can help address issues of depression or anxiety that could potentially lead to self-harm or suicide in teens or adolescents.
Treatment for Trauma
Treating trauma helps people overcome their negative psychological symptoms and get back to living their lives as they see fit. Treatment typically includes several approaches, such as individual and group therapy. These treatments are designed to be trauma-informed, meaning that mental health professionals take care to not retraumatize their patients and can help them recover safely.
If you continue to look back at an event that affects you to this day, asking yourself, “Is it trauma?” then you may benefit from targeted mental health treatment. Trauma therapy can help people regain control over their lives and no longer live in the shadow of traumatic events.
Anyone can recover from trauma, and participating in targeted mental health treatment from trauma professionals is an effective way to work toward healing.
Start Treatment Today at Imagine Boise
Imagine Boise is Idaho’s premier treatment center for adolescents ages 12-17. With various mental health treatment options emphasizing trauma-informed care, our team of specialists can help people overcome their symptoms and live a fulfilling life in recovery. No matter what traumatic experience led you to seek care, our team will work diligently to help you reach a place where trauma no longer interferes with your everyday life.
When you’re ready to get started with treatment, reach out to our admissions team by calling 888.597.2807. You don’t have to continue to suffer – recovery is possible at Imagine Boise.