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Trauma Recovery

A traumatic event can remain with us long after any physical signs of trauma have healed. Reactions to traumatic events can seem strange and disturbing but they are not ‘wrong’. It is natural for people to have widely varying responses to traumatic events.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is a common diagnosis used to describe a combination of symptoms following the experience of a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can be similar to those of stress or anxiety and can also vary greatly from person to person. Just because someone has experienced a traumatic event, it does not mean they will remain traumatised by the event or go on to receive a diagnosis of PTSD. People have different ways of responding to trauma and many recover from trauma without professional help or just with the assistance of friends or family.

However if the reaction to a traumatic event or PTSD continues to affect us in daily life, it may be helpful to seek the help of a counsellor or therapist. Some people consult professional therapists to help them recover from childhood issues or the trauma of sexual abuse. Others may have experienced or been witness to abuse or violence, or been involved in a catastrophic event, siege, serious accident or suddenly lost somebody they loved. Many counsellors and therapists are specially trained in assisting people to recover from trauma. Approaches to trauma recovery can include using supportive inner dialogue, recognising forgiveness and shame, recalibrating reactions, building confidence, externalizing problems and re-authoring techniques. Different practitioners may use different approaches depending on their training, skills and experience.

This information is only general and is not a substitute for a professional consultation.

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