Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

The word "trauma" is used to describe experiences or situations that are emotionally painful and distressing and that overwhelm people's ability to cope, often leaving them powerless.

It may be a physical experience such as a road accident, a sexual or physical assault or some form of violence; or it may be emotional/psychological such as witnessing a shocking event, a major loss or a threat to your life.  Almost everyone who experiences trauma will be emotionally affected, but not everyone will respond in the same way.

Traumatic events are often overwhelming. It can be hard for people who have been through a traumatic event to come to terms with what has happened. PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder) is an anxiety disorder that can develop after an individual has experienced or witnessed a major trauma.  PTSD symptoms can include, reliving or re-experiencing the trauma, attempts to avoid thoughts, situations, or people that are reminders of the trauma and increased anxiety or arousal, including being constantly on guard for danger, and being easily startled.

Counselling can help you talk through your feelings in such a way that enables you to process your trauma and come to terms with your own feelings and experience of it. Counselling can also help you develop an understanding of the underlying causes and triggers of your trauma, both conscious and unconscious and help you develop coping skills. I use a person centred approach when working with trauma and always working at the pace of a client providing a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space.