Trauma is an emotional and psychological response to an extremely distressing event. Most people will experience trauma at some point in their lives. In certain situations, the effects of trauma can be long-lasting and have the potential to interfere with your day-to-day functioning even years after the event. At Gary J. Meiers, Ph.D., Jo Ann Hammond-Meiers, Ph.D. and Associates Ltd., we provide counselling for trauma in Edmonton to help people recover from a wide variety of traumatic events.
A traumatic event can be both psychologically and physically violent in nature. Being involved in a severe vehicle collision, for example, can result in both physical and emotional trauma. In many situations, the emotional trauma resulting from a major injury may remain long after the physical wounds have healed. Other common causes of trauma include assault, sexual assault, parental maltreatment of a child, domestic violence, neglect, severe illness, and the death of a loved one. Serving in the armed forces can also be very traumatic and may lead to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder.
The traumatic event does not always have to be violent or physically painful but may involve feelings of humiliation or disappointment instead. Sometimes, it is not even necessary to be directly involved in a traumatic event to feel the effects of trauma later on. For example, being witness to an act of violence or to devastating scenes following a natural disaster can leave people traumatized.
Early childhood trauma, in particular, often carries through into the adult years. Some people may not even realize that a traumatic event in childhood continues to play a role in their emotional reactions and emotional well-being until they discuss the issue with a trauma counsellor in Edmonton.
Symptoms and Effects of Trauma
One of the most common symptoms of trauma is severe anxiety, often accompanied by panic attacks. The anxiety may further trigger symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, insomnia, and irritability. Trauma can also cause a person to experience emotional outbursts, feelings of depression, feelings of guilt, frequent mood swings, and even physical symptoms such as body pain and a rapid heartbeat. Withdrawal from friends and family is not uncommon.
Remember that everyone reacts to trauma differently. There is no wrong or right way to experience trauma. The most important thing is that you seek help if you are struggling to cope after a traumatic event. Are you ready to accept help to work through your traumas?
Finding Help for Trauma in Edmonton
If you or someone you love is suffering from the effects of trauma, then it is important to seek experienced, compassionate counselling with a registered psychologist. Professional trauma counselling can provide you with the tools to better manage your symptoms. The team at Gary J. Meiers, Ph.D., Jo Ann Hammond-Meiers, Ph.D. and Associates Ltd. is trained in identifying and providing treatment for trauma in Edmonton. We specialize in trauma counselling for patients of all ages, including children.
To schedule an appointment for trauma counselling in Edmonton and see if our office is a good fit for you, please contact Gary J. Meiers, Ph.D., Jo Ann Hammond-Meiers, Ph.D. and Associates Ltd. today.
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