Trauma Affects You In Ways You Don’t Always See
The nagging thought, “I’m not loveable” or “I don’t deserve good things” comes deep from inside of you. It feels really familiar and when asked how long you have felt this way you state, “It feels like since I was a kid. Really young.” You always thought it was just how you thought. You might have even thought, “I was just born this way.” What if it was actually developmental trauma that occurred from a young age?
You think back to moments in your life when adversity occurred, and how those experiences disheartened you. Maybe they left you feeling numb. You felt as if you were living in a haze, just going through the motions, or unable to enjoy the things you love. What if those experiences were actually traumatic? And they still impact you today.
Perhaps your world has simply gotten smaller like your life has been reduced to “eat, sleep, and work,” with little time and energy for anything else.
Or maybe you feel just the opposite—you might be drinking more, engaging in unattached sex, or taking part in self-destructive behaviors. Perhaps you’ve become more volatile, irritable, and emotionally reactive. It seems like you can do nothing right. You feel an intense need to yell.
If any or all of these things are how you feel, you might be struggling with unaddressed trauma.
Trauma often manifests itself in subtle ways, throwing off your sense of daily routine. You may be unable to relax, always waiting for the worst to happen, or constantly flooded with intrusive, negative thoughts. If you want to know how trauma might have affected you, I can help you gain insight into your past, stay grounded in the present, and live confidently in the years to come.
The Roots Of PTSD Run Deep And Are Unique To Every Survivor
Most people have experienced some form of trauma in their lives, but many of them aren’t aware of it. Why? Put simply, many people don’t know whether their experience really counts as traumatic. Obvious examples like sexual abuse or military combat are easy to spot, but there are subtler forms of trauma—such as exposure to verbally-abusive parents, childhood neglect, grief and loss, multiple sports injuries, and even repeated romantic rejection. These are all considered traumas of omission because they’re characterized by the absence of something—by a lack of love, care, or fulfillment. They usually take place over long periods of time instead of in single instances.
Whatever form of trauma you’re dealing with, it’s important to seek help. On average, most people wait eleven years to seek help for their mental health. By that time, they often find themselves dealing with unhealthy coping habits, toxic relationships, or even eating disorders. With my approach to trauma therapy, you can overcome triggers, learn new coping skills, and keep PTSD symptoms from aggravating you further.
Go beyond talk therapy and work with a counselor who really understands trauma.
As a therapist in Ogden Utah, I am dedicated to helping individuals find the right therapist. Therapy with a plan and a therapist that fits can make all the difference. Contact me today to see if I am a good fit for you and your needs or for a referral. I look forward to connecting and being a resource for those in the Ogden area.
