Trauma can leave deep psychological and emotional scars that can change a person’s life in big ways. It doesn’t matter what kind of traumatic event it is—a natural disaster, physical or sexual abuse, war, or a tragic loss—the effects can last for a long time and show up in many ways, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental health problems. Luckily, there are different kinds of trauma treatment that can help people deal with and get over these upsetting events.
CBT stands for cognitive behavioural therapy.
Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a popular and successful type of trauma therapy that focuses on changing harmful ways of thinking and acting that keep people in distress. As part of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), people who have been through a stressful event are slowly exposed to memories or situations that remind them of it in a safe and controlled setting. This process helps them face and work through their traumatic events, which makes their emotional responses less intense in the long run.
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing.
Exposure therapy and bidirectional stimulation, like eye movements, taps, or tones, are both parts of EMDR, which is a specialised type of trauma therapy. People go through EMDR sessions where they think about traumatic memories while focused on outside stimuli. This is thought to help the brain process and integrate these memories better. This trauma therapy has been shown to be especially helpful for treating PTSD and other illnesses linked to trauma.
Body-based therapy
Somatic therapy, which is sometimes called “body-based therapy,” looks at how the mind and body are connected when dealing with trauma. This method is based on letting go of mental and physical tension that has been stored in the body because of traumatic events. Mindfulness routines, breath work, and different types of movement or bodywork, like yoga, massage, or dance therapy, may all be used as techniques.
Therapy based on psychology
Psychodynamic therapy, which is based on psychoanalytic theory, looks at how early life events and unconscious thoughts may have led to trauma-related symptoms. The goal of this type of therapy is to find and resolve a person’s deepest conflicts, feelings, and defence mechanisms that may be affecting how they act and cope now.
Help for a group
Group therapy can be an effective way to treat trauma because it gives people a safe place to talk about their feelings, learn from others, and come up with good ways to deal with their problems. Group therapy can help people who have been through similar traumas feel less alone, have their experiences validated, and build a sense of community and connection.
Help for Families or Couples
Trauma often affects not only the person who goes through it, but also their family and relationships. Therapy for families or couples can help deal with the effects of stress on relationships and families by improving communication and building understanding and support.
Medicines
Trauma treatment and medication may be used together to help people with anxiety, depression, or trouble sleeping who have been through trauma. To help the healing process along with therapy, antidepressants, anxiety medicines, or sleep aids may be given.
It’s important to remember that trauma treatment doesn’t work for everyone. The person’s wants, preferences, and the type of traumatic event should determine the type of therapy and treatment plan that is best for them. It’s also very important to work with a qualified mental health worker who specialises in treating trauma.
Healing from stress takes time, and it can be hard to get back on your feet. But with the right help and trauma therapy that is based on evidence, people can regain control, work through their traumatic events, and learn healthier ways to deal with stress so they can live full lives.