Trauma

Trauma

We all respond differently to traumatic events and what is considered ‘traumatic’ can also vary from person to person. In general, trauma can be defined as a psychological, emotional response to an event or an experience that is deeply distressing or disturbing.

Traumatic events can be experienced directly, witnessed, or learned, and these experiences often involve a threat to life or safety. However, any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed can result in trauma, even if it does not involve physical harm. Often misunderstood, it is not the objective event that is traumatic, but one's subjective emotional experience of the event. 

Emotional and/or psychological trauma can be caused by:

When left untreated, symptoms of trauma may worsen and develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Complex PTSD for those who have experienced repeated traumas. Other types of trauma related psychological concerns include acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and reactive attachment disorder.

Trauma is an event that can shatter our sense of confidence and contradict our current view of the world.

Additionally, trauma can cause stress. However, stress refers to experiences that are providing a consistent psychological and emotional burden. 

Several different interventions have been developed to treat trauma. Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can teach an individual to become more aware of their thoughts and beliefs. Another cognitive method, cognitive processing therapy (CPT) can help individuals to reprocess the meaning of the traumatic event in a more helpful way. Exposure therapy can sometimes be used to reduce the amount of fear associated with emotional triggers related to a traumatic experience. Additionally, body-oriented approaches such as mindfulness , yoga, EMDR, and sensorimotor psychotherapy can be helpful in aiding the reconnection between mind and body. 

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may have experienced trauma. Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help. 

Acute Stress Disorder can occur following the experience of a traumatic event. Acute Stress Disorder is similar to PTSD, except that symptoms last for no longer than one month.

Symptoms of Acute Stress Disorder can include:

When left untreated, symptoms of trauma may worsen and develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Complex PTSD for those who have experienced repeated traumas. Other types of trauma related psychological concerns include acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and reactive attachment disorder.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help control symptoms and prevent symptoms from developing into PTSD.

Additionally, mindfulness can be helpful to teach individuals techniques to manage anxiety and stress. Exposure therapy can also be helpful for some individuals experiencing a lot of avoidance. 

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from Acute Stress Disorder. Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help. 

Complex Trauma or Complex PTSD is a response to repeated and cumulative experiences of trauma. This traumatization can happen over the course of months or years and can include emotional abuse , physical abuse , and/or sexual abuse , as well as domestic violence , exposure to war, human trafficking, and more. While there are circumstances in which adults develop C-PTSD (e.g. first responders like nurses, police officers, paramedics, and firefighters), it is most often seen in individuals who experienced repeated trauma during their childhood. 

Symptoms of Complex PTSD include :

When left untreated, symptoms of trauma may worsen and develop into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or Complex PTSD for those who have experienced repeated traumas. Other types of trauma related psychological concerns include acute stress disorder, adjustment disorder, and reactive attachment disorder.

Cognitive Beahvioural Therapy (CBT) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) can help individuals identify negative thought patterns and provide tools to replace them with more positive thoughts. Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) can help individuals learn how to better respond to stress and build stronger relationships. Additionally, eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) can be helpful in treating Complex Trauma/C-PTSD as it can help desensitize individuals to traumatic memories and thoughts. 

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help and discuss possible trauma treatment. 

For steps in selecting the best Psychologist in Toronto, read here.

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from Complex Trauma (C-PTSD). Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help and discuss possible trauma treatment. 

For steps in selecting the best Psychologist in Toronto, read here.

Domestic violence is any type of abuse that occurs within an intimate relationship as an attempt to dominate or control the other person. It can happen between past or current partners, spouses, or in dating relationships.

Domestic violence can include but is not limited to: 

Even after leaving an abusive relationship, individuals may have trouble trusting others or experience flashbacks of the trauma they experienced. In some cases individuals who suffered from domestic violence may go on to develop PTSD, recommended by therapist in Toronto.

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be experiencing domestic violence. Please consider contacting your local authorities to help ensure your safety.  Contact us, your local therapist in Toronto for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help. 

Emotional abuse includes any non-physical behaviours such as threats, insults, constant monitoring, or stalking. Verbal abuse may not cause physical damage, but it can cause emotional pain. Additionally, emotional abuse can quickly escalate into physical abuse. Emotional abuse is an attempt to control another person in the same way that physical abuse does. However, an emotionally abuse person tries to control someone by playing with their emotions. 

Examples of emotional or verbal abuse can include: 

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be experiencing emotional abuse. Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help. 

After experiencing a trauma, most people experience heightened anxiety, fear, or episodes of sadness. Most individuals will get better with time. However, in individuals suffering from PTSD these symptoms may last for months or years and may worsen over time. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) occurs after exposure to actual or threatened harm including death, injury, or sexual violence either experienced directly by an individual, witnessed by an individual, or learning about it happening to a close friend or family member. This includes repeated exposure to details of traumatic events (e.g police officers, firefighters, court judges). Individuals with PTSD often have intense and disturbing thoughts and feelings related to the traumatic event, long after the event has ended. 

Symptoms of PTSD can include: 

Symptoms of PTSD may start within one month of a traumatic event but sometimes symptoms do not appear until years later. Over time, PTSD can lead to changes in the brain and worsen without treatment.

Several modalities have been developed to treat PTSD. Cognitive therapies such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) or Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) can help recognize patterns of thinking that is keeping an individual “stuck”. Additionally, exposure therapy can help individuals face frightening situations and can be particularly helping in dealing with flashbacks and nightmares. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a combination of exposure therapy and guided eye movements that can help an individual process traumatic memories and adjust reactions to these memories. 

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from PTSD. Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help. 

Physical abuse is any intentional and unwanted contact against a person or a person’s body which causes bodily injury, pain, or impairment.

Physical abuse can involve any of the following acts:

Physical abuse often occurs alongside other forms of abuse including financial abuse, sexual abuse , and emotional abuse.

While it is never the fault of the victim, victims of physical abuse often feel shame and guilt over the abuse and hide the abuse from others. 

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be experiencing physical abuse. Please consider contacting your local authorities to ensure your safety. Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help. 

Sexual abuse is a sexual behaviour or act that is forced upon a person without their consent. Also referred to as sexual assault or sexual violence, it can include unwanted sexual touching, forced sexual activities, and rape. Experiencing sexual abuse can lead to shock, fear, sadness, anxiety, and depression. Long term symptoms can include increased anxiety and PTSD. 

Signs and symptoms of someone experiencing sexual abuse can include: 

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from sexual abuse. Please consider contacting your local authorities to ensure your safety. 

Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help.

Although it is uncommon, reactive attachment disorder can occur in children who have experienced social neglect or deprivation in their early years of life. This can occur when children lack basic emotional needs like affection or comfort or are unable to form stable attachments with caregivers. Risk may be increased for children in institutions, children who frequently change foster homes, or children whose parents have severe mental health or substance use problems. 

Signs and symptoms of reactive attachment disorder may include: 

Attachment is the deep connection or bond between a caregiver and child, that profoundly affects development, ability to express emotions, and the development of relationships later in life. Children with reactive attachment disorder are believed to have the capacity to form attachments, but instead this ability to form attachments has been hindered by their experiences.

Treatment for reactive attachment disorder usually involves a collaborative effort between the child and caregivers. Treatment may include family therapy, parent training, or play therapy, with main goals being to create a safe and stable living environment and to strengthen attachments with caregivers. 

If your child has experienced any of the above symptoms, they may be suffering from Reactive Attachment Disorder. 

Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help. 

Adjustment Disorder is a short-term condition in which someone has difficulty coping with, or adjusting to an identifiable source of stress (e.g. a major life change, loss, or event). These events can include the ending of a relationship, losing a job, the death of a loved one, developing a serious illness, being involved in an accident, being the victim of a crime, getting married, having a baby, retiring, or living through a natural disaster.

An individual with adjustment disorder typically develops emotional and/or behavioural symptoms within three months of the event and rarely lasts longer for six months after the event or situation ends. In an adjustment disorder, the reaction to a stressor is often greater than what the typical response to a situation. 

Symptoms of an adjustment disorder can include: 

However, symptoms in children and adolescents tend to be more behavioural (e.g. skipping school, fighting, acting out, etc.)

Psychotherapy is the most common treatment for Adjustment Disorder, as it helps the person understand how the stressor has affected his or her life and helps them to develop helpful coping skills. Specific modalities that can be helpful include cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or interpersonal psychotherapy (IPT) . Additionally, stress management can help individuals learn how to better manage stressful situations. 

If you’ve experienced any of the above symptoms, you may be suffering from Adjustment Disorder. Contact us for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see how we can help.