After an unpleasant event or multiple events, you may suffer from trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder. What can you do to process trauma and when should you seek professional help?
What is a psychotrauma?
The word trauma in Greek stands for wound. A psychotrauma literally means "a wound on your soul. That wound can occur when you have experienced a shocking event. Examples that can lead to a psychotrauma are: a natural disaster, war violence, robbery, plane crash or sexual assault.
Causes PTSD
Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event gets PTSD(post-traumatic stress disorder). The same intense event can cause PTSD in one person and not in another even though they experienced the same thing. It is not clear exactly what causes this. However, a number of factors are important, such as the type of event, the duration, biological factors, coping capacity and the reception after the traumatic event. A good shelter with support and recognition reduces the chance of developing PTSD.
When do you have PTSD?
Most people who have experienced an unpleasant event recover from it after a while and are able to move on. However, it can also happen that months after the event you continue to suffer from relapses, irritability, excessive alertness, insomnia and the tendency to avoid anything that reminds you of the trauma. Very emotionally drastic events such as neglect, bullying or rejection can also lead to trauma. This can form the basis for a negative self-image and personality problems. In both cases, there may be post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD.
How does U-center treat someone with PTSD?
At U-center, we treat you as a person and not just the diagnosis of PTSD. The symptoms of PTSD, such as excessive alertness, poor sleep and avoidance affect your whole world and sometimes cause additional symptoms such as anxiety and depression. During your treatment at U-center, we identify all of these symptoms and then determine which interventions are important for you at this time. A large part of the interventions will consist of trauma treatment, but attention will also be paid to coping (how you deal with events) and to possible drug or medication use. We also involve and educate your family. We also look at your daily activities and possibly zoom in on reintegration or future work.
About the author:
Marja Schouten, GZ psychologist, supervisor VGCt and European Practitioner EMDR. Working within U-Center as senior trauma therapist, trauma treatment coordinator.
Sources consulted: Institute for Psychotrauma (IVP); Protocol Concise Eclectic Psychotherapy for PTSD.