Trauma & PTSD Treatment at Ankur Rehab Centre
Trauma, often manifested as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), is an anxiety disorder stemming from experiencing or witnessing profoundly distressing events. These events leave individuals feeling vulnerable and powerless, overwhelming their capacity to cope and process what they’ve encountered.
As a result, the memory remains close to the surface of your thoughts, leading to the emergence of the following symptoms-
Recurrent nightmares and flashbacks
Feeling unsteady or nauseous when reminded of the event
Avoiding people, places, or events out of fear of experiencing the trauma again
Hyper-vigilance
Feeling disconnected from oneself and others
Difficulty concentrating and sleeping
Emotional outbursts
Engaging in irresponsible or self-destructive behaviour
Prolonged distress when encountering triggers
Trauma is categorized into three main types, with the severity of symptoms determining the classification. “Big T” Trauma, also known as Shock Trauma, typically arises from severely stressful events, including physical abuse. These events can be experienced directly or indirectly and often involve acts of violence, both physical and sexual. Shock trauma stems from significant, unexpected losses.
On the other hand, “small t” trauma is linked to common but distressing life events. While these events may not seem significant to others, their emotional impact can be traumatic for the individual experiencing them. When others minimize the importance of these events, it compounds the trauma.
There’s a well-known saying about “small t” trauma: “objects in the mirror are closer than they appear.” This reflects the idea that what may seem insignificant to an outsider can have a profound impact on the individual who has experienced it. This concept is similar to “complex trauma,” where the significance of the trauma may not be readily apparent to others but deeply affects the individual involved.
A Few Examples of ‘small t’ trauma are-
Experiencing harassment at school or work
Parents going through divorce
Losing employment
Being the last one chosen for a team
Living in poverty
Transitioning between schools
Facing threats
Grieving the death of a pet
Losing friends
Struggling with learning disorders
Feeling overlooked or ignored