Trauma's Impact on Mental Health
Written by Kristen Stahl LPC, LCADC, May 2024 (created with the assistance of generative AI)
Trauma is a profound experience that can significantly hinder your mental and emotional well-being. Simply defined, “trauma” is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience. It is also the emotional shock that follows a stressful event or physical injury. Whether stemming from childhood abuse or neglect, a catastrophic event, or ongoing exposure to distressing situations, trauma can negatively impact daily functioning and may cause long-term mental health effects. Traumatic experiences can hinder your ability to cope, causing feelings of helplessness and a diminished sense of self. Trauma can rob you of the ability to feel a full range of emotions and experiences. Some symptoms of trauma can include insomnia, anger outbursts, feeling tense or on-edge and an exaggerated startle response. An example of this is overreacting if someone comes up behind you suddenly. You may react in a way that is disproportionate to the situation if you suffered a trauma.
The Path to Healing
While the impact of trauma can be devastating, there are strategies and therapies that can facilitate healing and recovery. Engaging in therapy with a licensed mental health professional is helpful as it allows you to process traumatic events in a safe space. Talk therapies such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are commonly used for those affected by trauma. CBT focuses on how your thoughts, beliefs and attitudes affect your feelings and actions. CPT helps you challenge and modify unhelpful beliefs about the trauma and understand the traumatic event in a new way while reducing the negative effects on current functioning. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), is a structured therapy that encourages you to focus briefly on the trauma memory while simultaneously experiencing bilateral stimulation (typically eye movements).
In addition to therapy, support systems that are created through families, peers and spiritual or religious communities can provide the additional backing to lift you up when things feel alone and isolated. Trauma-informed mindfulness practices such as guided meditations and yoga can help you stay grounded while learning to manage intrusive thoughts and emotions. Creative outlets such as music, art, cooking/baking, decorating and writing can also serve as a therapeutic release and outlet for negative emotions.
Building Resilience
Resilience is the ability to adapt and recover from adversity. It involves not only bouncing back from traumatic experiences but also growing stronger. Developing resilience can be fostered through the maintenance of deep interpersonal relationships, the reinforcing of coping skills that are learned in therapy, and ultimately finding purpose in meaningful activities - whether it is through work, family, hobbies or new goals for the future.
Trauma can significantly impact mental health, but with the right support and interventions, you can navigate a path to healing. Recognizing the signs of trauma and seeking appropriate help is the first step towards recovery. Through therapy, support systems, and resilience-building activities, it is possible to overcome the negative impact of trauma and lead a fulfilling life.
