Trauma

Trauma is an emotional response to a highly stressful or devastating event. This response can include unexpected mood swings, anxiety, and other symptoms that interfere with your quality of life, your relationships, and your responsibilities.

Some common sources of trauma include:

• Violence
• Car accident
• Natural disaster
• Sexual assault
• Death of a loved one
• Physical or emotional abuse

LGBTQ individuals might also find it difficult to cope with the trauma of bullying and physical violence. Still Tranquility offers comprehensive LGBTQ mental health services to address trauma-related conditions that meet the unique needs of the community.

If your symptoms persist without treatment, you might develop a mental health disorder known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can cause intrusive thoughts, flashbacks of the event, anxiety, and depression.

Unfortunately, the effects of trauma don’t always occur immediately after the event.

While you might experience shock and feel overwhelmed at the time of the trauma, you can also go for extended periods feeling fine only to have flashbacks and other trauma-related symptoms return in the months or years after the event.

Still Tranquility recommends seeking a diagnostic evaluation if you notice changes in your behavior or if you have difficulties keeping up with your responsibilities. You also need an evaluation if you have persistent feelings of:

• Fear
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Mood swings

If you’re using medications or alcohol to cope with your trauma, you should seek immediate help to reduce your risk for addiction and long-term health complications.

To help you understand how trauma is affecting your life, Still Tranquility offers psychotherapy, a type of talk therapy in-office and online through the telemedicine platform. We provide a safe, judgment-free space for you to talk about your feelings, thoughts, and beliefs.

We can help you make changes to your lifestyle and your thought patterns, so you can better manage your emotions and your response to trauma.

In some cases, mediations can be helpful for relieving persistent feelings of depression and anxiety by balancing the chemicals in your brain.

It’s also important for you to practice self-care, eat a healthy diet, and get daily exercise to keep you physically healthy and improve your quality of sleep. You might benefit from learning mindfulness techniques like breathing exercises and meditation to help you stay present in the moment.

To learn more about your treatment options for trauma, schedule an appointment with Still Tranquility today.