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351 Burley Ave Lexington, KY 40503 Phone: 859-681-7823 Email: admissions@lexingtonaddictioncenter.com

Trauma Therapy In Lexington, KY

At Lexington Addiction Center, we understand the complexity of trauma. After a catastrophic event, people often struggle to come back from the emotional and psychological effects that it may have inflicted. Even when they are safe again, feelings of fear or helplessness can linger long after the danger has passed. As a result, they are susceptible to unsettling memories and overwhelming anxiety. Our trauma therapy in Lexington, KY provided by a professional trauma therapist helps clients process and heal from trauma so they can move on with their lives.

What is Trauma?

Trauma causes a deep psychological wound that can leave far-reaching effects on someone’s life. Commonly, it arises from a person experiencing intense fear and helplessness from a traumatic event. Often, it is due to sudden physical harm or overwhelming emotional distress. Other times, it may be due to singular events (like sexual abuse or natural disasters) or multiple and ongoing traumatic events (such as domestic violence and warfare). However, trauma doesn’t always involve life-threatening events.

This subjective state produces feelings of powerlessness which are hard to cope with. Thus, making trauma difficult to process. Also, it is not uncommon for traumatized people to feel disconnected from the world around them, and they may have difficulty trusting people. Trauma can result from any situation that makes someone feel overwhelmed and alone. It can deeply impact those affected. Much of this depends on the type of trauma someone suffers from and other individual factors.

Types of Trauma

  • Acute Trauma: A single stressful or dangerous event
  • Chronic trauma: Repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events
  • Complex trauma: Exposure to multiple traumatic events
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Set yourself free from the struggles of addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Reach out to our treatment team in Lexington, Kentucky today.

Traumatic Experiences

Even though few will ever experience a catastrophic event first-hand, most people will experience some type of traumatic event during their lifetime. In addition, regular exposure to images from disasters through social media and news sources can have a powerful effect on our psyche. For example, photojournalism has become so common that it’s normal for people to feel overwhelmed by reports of tragic events.

Potential causes of trauma include:

  • Emotional, physical, or sexual abuse
  • Bullying
  • Accidents
  • Childbirth
  • Surgery or life-threatening illness
  • Sexual assault
  • Witnessing traumatic events happening to others
  • War
  • Natural disasters
  • Violent attack
  • Death of someone close
  • Relationship breakup
  • Intentional cruelty, humiliation, or betrayal

Trauma Response

No two individuals will have the same reaction to an event or experience. However, we can divide traumatic experiences as being either objective or subjective. Objective trauma is what happened during the incident itself. Subjective trauma is how each individual who was affected experienced it.

For example, although a car accident may only result in minor injuries for one person, they could still go on to develop intense emotional distress. As a result, the traumatic experience might prevent them from wanting to get into a car again. This demonstrates why trauma cannot be easily measured.

As such, everyone’s response differs according to their perspective. Therefore, the intensity of emotions experienced helps indicate the severity of personal trauma post-incident. Our trauma therapy in Lexington, KY identifies and addresses the root cause of past traumatic experiences.

Group of people supporting a friend struggling with past traumatic experiences and encouraging him to begin trauma therapy in Lexington, KY.

Factors That Affect Individual Trauma Response

  • Age
  • Gender
  • Coping skills
  • Personal experiences
  • Existing mental health conditions
  • Environment
  • Support system
  • Severity and duration of the traumatic event

Physical Responses

  • Fatigue
  • Headaches
  • Digestion problems/stomach aches
  • Muscle tension
  • Shakiness/weakness
  • Dizzy spells
  • Increased heart rate
  • Elevated blood pressure
  • Rapid breathing
  • Changes in eating and sleeping habits
  • Decreased personal hygiene

Emotional and Psychological Responses

  • Fear, panic, or feeling unsafe
  • Guilt or shame
  • Anger or irritability
  • Helplessness or meaninglessness
  • Moodiness
  • Crying
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Distrust or paranoia
  • Difficulty concentrating and making decisions
  • Memory disturbances
  • Flashbacks/preoccupation with the event
  • A sense that things aren’t real
  • Amnesia for the event
  • Worrying about the event

Childhood Trauma

Childhood trauma takes many forms and has lasting repercussions throughout someone’s life. Not only is it emotionally damaging, but it can also have physical effects on the body and mind. Trauma experienced in childhood can range from physical abuse or neglect to witnessing traumatic events such as domestic violence, war, or other disasters.

The emotional effects of childhood trauma include feelings of fear, helplessness, guilt, and shame. The physical effects may include chronic pain and digestive disorders. In addition, childhood trauma may lead to long-term mental health issues such as anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, or substance use disorders.

The consequences of childhood trauma vary by individual. Some may be able to cope successfully with the experiences, while others may not. For those affected by childhood trauma, seeking professional help is often the best way to address any ongoing psychological or emotional issues. Those suffering from past trauma should reach out for support from family members and friends. Furthermore, they should seek professionals who are equipped to provide the necessary assistance for healing and recovery.

Overall, our experienced staff recognizes the severity of this issue. Our trauma therapy in Lexington, KY, provides effective solutions through education and therapeutic methods. We create an environment where survivors feel comfortable enough to share their stories without fear or stigma so that healing may begin.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The main difference between PTSD and trauma is trauma refers to an event or experience that happened. PTSD is a mental health disorder caused by a reaction to a traumatic event. This condition can develop in individuals who have experienced or been witness to a traumatic event. It has long-lasting effects that can impact an individual’s life and relationships.

Symptoms of PTSD include:

  • Recurrent intrusive memories
  • Avoidance of trauma-related situations or stimuli
  • Negative moods
  • Changes in cognition
  • Increased sensitivity
  • Flashbacks
  • Nightmares
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Irritability
  • Anxiety and panic attacks
  • Dangerous behavior, such as substance misuse

Research has shown that certain risk factors make individuals more susceptible to developing PTSD. These include having a history of mental conditions, past trauma, less social support or resources available for coping with stressors, as well as being exposed to multiple traumas over time. Additionally, younger people tend to be at higher risk for developing PTSD than older adults.

Therapist supporting patient during trauma therapy in Lexington, KY.

Trauma Therapy at Lexington Addiction Center

Trauma therapy, also known as trauma-focused therapy, is a specialized form of psychotherapy designed to help individuals recover from traumatic experiences. It focuses on addressing the emotional and psychological impact of trauma, helping individuals process their thoughts and feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Our trauma therapy aims to reduce the symptoms of trauma, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and improve overall mental health and well-being.

Types of therapy for trauma include:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps individuals identify and change negative thought patterns and trauma-related behaviors.
  • Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Involves using bilateral stimulation, such as eye movements or taps, to help process traumatic memories and reduce their impact.
  • Exposure Therapy: Involves gradually exposing individuals to their traumatic memories or situations in a safe and controlled manner to reduce fear and anxiety.
  • Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Focuses on teaching individuals skills to manage emotions, tolerate distress, and improve relationships, which can be beneficial for trauma survivors with emotional dysregulation.
  • Psychodynamic Therapy: Explores how past experiences, including trauma, influence current thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, with a focus on gaining insight and understanding.
  • Somatic Experiencing: This technique focuses on the physical sensations associated with trauma to help release pent-up energy and tension stored in the body.
  • Narrative Therapy: Involves telling and re-authoring one’s life story to create a sense of empowerment and resilience in the face of trauma.
  • Trauma Response Therapy: Helps individuals address and cope with the immediate psychological and emotional effects of a traumatic event.

PTSD Trauma Therapy in Lexington, KY

While there are no one-size-fits-all trauma therapies for those suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, we offer specialized PTSD treatment in Lexington. Typically, our PTSD therapy includes cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization reprocessing (EMDR). In addition to these treatments, there are also numerous self-care strategies.

Further, individuals can practice regular exercise, meditation, journaling, and seeking out healthy distractions like art or music therapy. Recovery is possible. With the proper therapy for trauma and continued effort, individuals can find new ways of managing their symptoms so they can lead lives trauma-free.

Our Multifaceted Approach to Trauma Therapy in Lexington, KY

Trauma is associated with many mental health disorders, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders. Recent research suggests that individuals living with PTSD are more likely to experience a co-occurring addiction or substance use disorder than those without the condition. Consequently, people with PTSD are more likely to use substances to cope with their symptoms.

To effectively treat those suffering from trauma or PTSD and addiction, our trauma and PTSD therapy creates treatment plans that address both issues at once. Also, it is helpful for those struggling with dual diagnosis to connect with others who have experienced similar traumas. Group therapy helps individuals connect with peers who understand what they’re going through on this journey toward healing.

A man hugging a loved one during trauma therapy in Lexington, KY.

Begin Healing with a Trauma Therapist in Lexington, KY

Working through trauma can be scary, painful, and potentially re-traumatizing. Therefore, trauma therapies with the help of an experienced trauma therapist in Lexington, KY are necessary for healing. Recovering from loss or trauma takes time, and everyone heals at their own pace. Offering different types of trauma therapy that focus on individual experiences, we are here to help you or your loved one start your recovery journey.

Contact us today to learn more about our trauma therapy in Lexington, KY.

Contact Us

Set yourself free from the struggles of addiction and co-occurring mental health disorders. Reach out to our treatment team in Lexington, Kentucky today.