Trauma Treatment 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. Despite this, our trauma treatment in Lexington, Kentucky helps our clients to 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 one’s life. It commonly arises from experiences of 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 or 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, 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 will depend on the type of trauma someone suffers from. 

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

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 actually 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 own perspective. Therefore, the intensity of emotions experienced helps indicate the severity of personal trauma post-incident.

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 can take many forms and have 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 present 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 and they provide 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. Our trauma treatment in Lexington, Kentucky identifies and addresses the root cause of past traumas. 

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. 

While there is no one-size-fits-all treatment for those suffering from PTSD, Lexington Addiction Center offers trauma therapy with effective interventions. These include 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 continued effort, individuals can find new ways of managing their symptoms so they can lead lives trauma-free.

Dual Diagnosis and Trauma 

Trauma is associated with a number of mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and substance use disorders. In fact, 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 in order to cope with their symptoms.

In order to effectively treat those suffering from both trauma and addiction, our trauma treatment in Lexington, Kentucky 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. 

Begin Healing With Trauma Treatment in Lexington, KY

Working through trauma can be scary, painful, and potentially re-traumatizing. Therefore, this healing process is best done with the help of experienced trauma specialists. Recovering from loss or trauma takes time and everyone heals at their own pace. We are here to help you or your loved one start your personal recovery journey.

Contact us today to learn more about our trauma treatment in Lexington, Kentucky.