After experiencing distressing or disturbing events, we may notice changes in our bodies, our exterior behavior, and our interior landscapes. Those events and the responses we have are called trauma. Trauma overwhelms our ability to cope and can affect our sense of self and how we experience our daily lives. It can look very different from person to person, though some signs are common.

 

Common physical symptoms are nausea, dizziness, headaches, fatigue, changes in sleep patterns or appetite, gastrointestinal problems, racing heartbeat, aches and pain or muscle tension, and difficulty concentrating. People with trauma may also startle easily.

 

Common emotional symptoms are feelings of fear, shame, anger, sadness, numbness, and denial. People with trauma may also have nightmares, struggle with insomnia, have emotional outbursts or mood swings, struggle with relationships, or socially withdraw.

 

People with trauma may or may not have already been diagnosed with any of a range of disorders, including PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), depression, anxiety, dissociative disorders, and problems with substance abuse.

 

Trauma can come from a number of events and circumstances in a person’s life, and can occur at any age. People with trauma recover at different paces and in different ways, and may seek help right after a traumatic event or many years later.

 

Our clinic focuses on helping people heal from trauma, and we believe in your capacity to heal.