Trauma Trauma Negative experiences can harm long-term health Processing Our Pain It may surprise you to learn that we’ve all experienced trauma. The death of a loved one, a divorce, or other loss can result in emotional scars. Even something as seemingly positive as adoption can cause trauma as some adoptees struggle with identity or feelings of abandonment. Then there are issues like neglect, abuse, and bullying, which can have a lasting negative impact. As a result, trauma sufferers can struggle to form healthy relationships, deal with low self-esteem, and are at higher risk for addiction. Bullying Once limited to the schoolyard, today’s bullying has extended from an in-person experience to a constant online assault via social media, and the impact is nothing short of devastating, both psychologically and emotionally. Sexual/Physical Abuse Teens may enter treatment with shame-based secrets, the most common of which is having experienced some sort of sexual or physical abuse, either at the hands of someone they trusted or a stranger. Adoption Often experienced in early childhood without conscious awareness or recognition, by the time an adopted child enters the teen years the effects can be felt on a very profound level as they explore their own identity. PTSD This anxiety disorder stems from life-threatening events or psychological trauma. Sudden, unprovoked, disturbing memory flashbacks or repeated nightmares can all be signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. Grief & Loss Loss may include the death of a loved one, but it can also encompass major life changes including divorce or a serious illness. While grief is natural, it can leave us stuck if we don’t process it appropriately. Emotional Trauma A person’s thoughts, feelings, and memories related to the traumatic event he or she experienced can grow in complexity over time, causing severe distress to the individual and negatively impacting daily life. Relational Issues Trauma in other areas can impact intimate relationships as early as the teen years, resulting in compulsive or obsessive feelings toward someone or an inability or refusal to show love for fear of being hurt. Neglect Emotional abandonment usually results from the behavior of significant others, predominantly parents. It may be inflicted unconsciously, as a result of addiction or mental illness in the family, or due to lifestyle choices. Codependency Causing sufferers to ignore their own needs while constantly fulfilling the needs of others, codependency can lead to relationship trauma and result in low self-esteem as they continue to repress their emotions. Featured Article An Intro to Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model What is Dr. Bruce Perry’s Neurosequential Model? Different from a treatment technique, the Neurosequential Model is a method for organizing a child’s history of trauma, neglect, or abuse, and assessing how they are currently functioning. Using this method, a clinician can identify key problems, strengths, and therapeutic interventions so that the child’s network — family, educators,…Read Article The Future Starts Now Our admissions specialists are skilled at helping potential patients, loved ones, and referring professionals find the right treatment fit. A simple call can get the process started. Learn More
