Trauma can occur in a variety of ways. It can occur through direct contact or indirectly. Sometimes the effects are so severe that they leave the person in a state of depression. Others can be less intense and not be so much of a physical problem. Regardless of the cause, trauma is a very real and potentially damaging illness. Fortunately, there are several different treatments for trauma that can help you get through it.
Indirect exposure to trauma
Indirect exposure to trauma (IET) is a topic of much interest in the medical literature. It is a form of PTSD that occurs in clinicians who witness or experience a traumatic event through a client or other patient. Symptoms can include hyperarousal, emotional numbing, and sleep problems.
A recent study investigated the impact of self-efficacy on the health of indirectly exposed workers. Self-efficacy is a core resiliency belief that facilitates the development of personal resources to deal with a wide variety of stressors. Specifically, the self-efficacy hypothesis holds that workers who are empowered by the ability to proactively address a wide range of stressful situations will be better equipped to cope with a range of potential events.
The Secondary Trauma Exposure Scale (STES) is a tool designed to measure indirect exposure to a traumatic event among healthcare providers. It includes ten questions to assess whether participants have experienced a traumatic event through a client.
Re-traumatization
Re-traumatization after trauma occurs when survivors are exposed to triggers. They can be anything from sounds and smells to thoughts and emotions. These triggers can cause a severe reaction, even though a person is not experiencing a traumatic event.
One of the first steps in preventing re-traumatization is to provide a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment. The presence of a therapist or counselor can help reduce the chances of PTSD. This therapist should also be trained in dealing with re-traumatization and trauma.
Another way to prevent re-traumatization is to give the survivor an opportunity to discuss their war experience. While this can be difficult, the shared experience will likely improve their coping skills.
Re-traumatization can happen to anyone who has suffered a traumatic event. It is important to identify triggering situations so that the victim can receive treatment.
Mind-body connection
While the connection between mind and body may not be the most obvious, it can be a powerful force. After all, your mind is responsible for many functions like cognition, emotions, and behavior. So, when a major trauma occurs, your body is left with an imprint. This can affect how you carry yourself, your digestion process, and even how you sleep.
In the past, the mind and the body were treated as two independent entities. However, in the 17th century, medicine started to recognize that the body and mind were, in fact, connected.
For example, when a person feels a familiar sense of danger, the amygdala sends the information to the hypothalamus, which releases stress hormones to help you fight or flee. The body responds by sending adrenaline to the muscles and pumping blood to the heart.
PTSD therapy
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be a very serious problem. It can have a wide range of symptoms, such as nightmares, depression, and hypervigilance. The first thing you need to do is get help. There are effective treatments for PTSD that can empower you to move forward and become a stronger person.
A trauma therapist is trained to help you process traumatic events. They can also teach you new coping skills and improve your quality of life.
Some of the symptoms of PTSD include difficulty sleeping, nightmares, increased anxiety, and difficulties with concentration. Some people with PTSD also avoid certain places or people. This may include people who remind them of the traumatic event.
Many therapists use psychotherapy to help people overcome trauma. Therapies typically involve cognitive-behavioral therapy, which helps individuals recognize negative thoughts and behavior patterns. CBT can be done on an individual or group basis.
Ketamine
Several studies have been conducted on the effectiveness of Ketamine in treating PTSD. The drug has been credited with being a great way to relieve stress and improve mood. However, some people have reported difficulty with its side effects.
Besides the obvious benefit of reducing symptoms of PTSD, ketamine has also been shown to improve mood and irritability. Additionally, the substance is known to stimulate the brain to release glutamate, a hormone associated with the regrowth of neural synapses.
The brain may be better able to remember traumatic events if the connections are reinforced. During trauma, the brain becomes damaged, causing synapses to fail. Taking ketamine infusions can help repair those broken connections. It is a powerful medicine that can lead to deep healing.
