
Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event or a series of events that overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope.
These events can be physical, emotional, or psychological in nature. Trauma can result from a wide range of experiences such as accidents, natural disasters, violence, or long-term abuse and neglect.
Understanding Trauma Recovery
Did you know?
People react to trauma in various ways, which can include shock, denial, flashbacks, emotional numbness, anxiety, and depression. Over time, untreated trauma can affect individuals mental and physical health. Understanding and addressing trauma is crucial for recovery and wellbeing. Recognizing that recovery is a personal journey, finding the right support can make a significant difference.
Common traumatic events can include, but are not limited to:
- Car accidents such as car crashes, work incidents, etc…
- Natural disasters
- Physical assaults; domestic violence, witnessing domestic violence
- Sexual assaults; physical/emotional abuse or neglect
- Sudden Loss; Deaths of family or friends; severe injuries
- War, Combat, Refugee Experiences
- Witnessing, but not directly being involved in a traumatic event
The Symptoms of Trauma Recovery

Intrusive Memories:
- Flashbacks or reliving the traumatic event
- Nightmares
- Distressing thoughts
Avoidance:
- Avoiding places, activities, or people that remind you of the trauma
- Feeling emotionally numb or detached
- Loss of interest in activities once enjoyed
Hyperarousal:
- Being easily startled or frightened
- Difficulty sleeping
- Irritability or outbursts of anger
What are the Risk Factors?
If trauma is left untreated it can lead to a range of negative consequences both psychological and physical.
Here are some of the potential impacts:
Psychological Effects
-
Developing PTSD
Untreated trauma can develop into PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic event. -
Depression and Anxiety
Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and anxiety are common -
Substance Abuse
Individuals may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with their feelings -
Suicidal Thoughts
The overwhelming nature of untreated trauma can lead to suicidal ideation -
Difficulty in Relationships
Trauma can affect trust and intimacy, leading to strained relationships
Physical Effects
-
Chronic Health Issues
Long-term stress from untreated trauma can lead to conditions like cardiovascular disease, chronic pain, and gastrointestinal issues. -
Sleep Disturbances
Insomnia or nightmares are common, which can further impact overall health. -
Weakened Immune System
Chronic stress can weaken the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to illnesses.
Behavioral Effects
-
Aggression and Anger
Difficulty managing emotions can result in increased anger and aggression. -
Avoidance Behaviors
Individuals might avoid places, people, or activities that remind them of the trauma, which can limit their daily functioning.
What is the Treatment?

Treating trauma effectively often involves a combination of therapies tailored to the individual’s needs.
Some of the most widely recognized and effective treatments include:
Psychotherapy (Talk Therapy)
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): You have an automatic thought. That thought produces an emotion. As humans, our emotions can affect how we act. Once you recognize the thought and emotion associated with that thought, you usually have several choices to make, which can lead to consequences of your behavior. CBT aims to change the thought(s) to more productive and more helpful consequences.
-
Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR):
This therapy uses guided eye movements to help the brain process and integrate traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact. - Psychodynamic Therapy: Focuses on understanding and resolving the emotional conflicts stemming from the trauma.
Medication Management
- Antidepressants: Certain medications can help manage symptoms of depression and anxiety associated with trauma.
- Anti-Anxiety Medications: Helps manage anxiety disorders and panic attacks.
- Other: Additional medications may be used to treat nightmares and sleep disturbances related to PTSD.
Other Approaches
- Somatic Therapies: These focus on the connection between the mind and body, helping individuals release trauma stored in the body through physical activities and mindfulness.
- Group Therapy: Provides a supportive environment where individuals can share experiences and coping strategies with others who have similar experiences.
Combining these treatments can often yield the best results. At Desert Star we provide group therapy three to four times per week along with individual therapy and medication management handled by our dedicated team of Psychiatric Nurse Practitioners. You deserve to live a life free from the overwhelming effects of trauma and it’s never too late! Whether your trauma happened recently or years in the past it’s never too late to seek help, build resilience, improve your quality of life and relationships, and start your healing journey. We would be honored if you chose Desert Star to support you on your journey to recovery.
This is your journey
and we are here to help you every step of the way.
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Get the help you need without putting your outside commitments on hold! We individualize treatment for every client and can combine groups from different programs to suit your unique needs. We offer varying levels of structure and support, from partial hospitalization to intensive outpatient to once-weekly outpatient groups.