Long-Term Effects of Trauma and How to Cope
*Trigger Warning: This article talks about abuse, drug use, trauma, and domestic violence. *
At some point in our lives, we will all most likely experience trauma. There are different types of traumas that individuals will experience and the impact of those will vary from person to person. This article will describe different kinds of trauma, the possible impacts of experiencing the trauma, and what can help heal from the traumas. This article is in no way a replacement for therapy services. If you have a trauma that you would like to process, please reach out to a mental health professional. Here at Inward Counseling, we can assist you in finding services that are best fit to meet your needs.
1. What are three different kinds of trauma that a person can experience?
Did you know that there are different forms of trauma that can be experienced? There are three main ones that we will cover in this article. The first is acute trauma, this is trauma that is a result of a single incident. The second is chronic trauma, or traumas that are repeated and prolonged for periods of time (domestic violence, and/or physical or mental abuse). The third is complex trauma which is when a person is exposed to many different traumatic events that are invasive in nature. Complex trauma could involve being in a household where there is drug use and domestic violence happening at the same time. The impacts of trauma can have effects on a person’s attachment to others, behaviorally, and cognitively.
2. How can I know the impact that the traumas I have experienced have had on me?
Now that you know different types of trauma, you may be wondering where you fall in regard to the trauma that you experienced. One way to get more information about the trauma you have experienced is by completing an ACE questionnaire. The ACE test will give you a score out of 10 on how many traumas you have experienced and the score falls on a continuum. Once you know your ACE score you would get a better idea of what traumas you have experienced and how severe it was potentially for you. It is important to seek out mental health services to help process your ACE score and the traumas you have experienced. Even though it may seem daunting at first when you discover how much trauma you have experienced know that as therapists at Inward Counseling, we use a nonjudgmental approach with all clients we work for.
3. Now that I know my traumas how can I heal from it and cope better with knowing I have experienced it?
Those that have experienced traumas may have found maladaptive methods in coping with what they have experienced. One example of this would be an individual using alcohol or drugs to numb feelings and emotions. A good start in your healing journey would be to have a good look at habits. If the habits that have been developed over time have been unhealthy that would be the first area in which to work on. Limit social media exposure and triggers that can be associated with your trauma. Be patient with yourself and start to cultivate more self-compassion for yourself and the experiences that you have endured. Then finally, it’s important to seek out therapy if you have experienced trauma that has impacted you. Therapy can help you to identify patterns within yourself that you may have not recognized before. Therapy can also help you in your journey to healing.
Begin Working with a Trauma Therapist in Charlotte, NC
Coping with past trauma is much easier said than done. Our team of therapists knows that recovery isn’t linear, and would be happy to offer support as you navigate your recovery. We are happy to offer support from Charlotte, NC-based practice and across the state. You can start your therapy journey with your team of caring therapists by following these simple steps:
Fill out our contact form
Meet with a caring therapist
Start coping with trauma in a healthier way
Other Services Offered With Inward Counseling
Trauma therapy isn’t the only service our team offers. We know that you may experience more than one mental health concern at a time. This is why we are happy to also offer therapy for anxiety, couples, family, and EMDR. We also offer depression therapy and Christian counseling. Visit our blog or about page to learn more today.