Trauma
What is Trauma?
Psychological trauma is damage to an individual’s psyche that occurs as a result of a severely distressing event. Trauma experiences assault one’s sense of security, making the individual feel helpless and vulnerable. Clients who suffer from trauma may feel disconnected and unable to trust other people. Therapy is required to confront the feelings and to get over the pain to feel safe and well again.
When a person experiences a traumatic situation, it more than likely involves a threat to life or safety. Feeling overwhelmed and alone can also be traumatic, even if the person does not experience physical harm. Trauma is not determined by objective facts, but rather by one’s subjective emotional experience of an occurrence. The more frightened and helpless one feels, the more likely that person is to be traumatized.
Sometimes trauma can remain in a person’s body and psyche for years. It is possible to heal and experience freedom from trauma. At Avalon Malibu, our revolutionary treatment provides the strategies and support needed to speed recovery. Whether the traumatic event occurred years ago or yesterday, it is possible to heal and move on.
What are Some Causes of Trauma?
There are many causes of trauma, and trauma can often occur in childhood. As an individual grows into maturity, trauma can be persistent and have long lasting effects on the emotional and psychological well-being of the individual. Trauma can be caused by one-time occurrences, such as a death, a surprise or violent confrontation, a natural disaster, or any other calamity. Trauma can also stem from ongoing, unyielding stress. People have situations that press them on a daily basis that can create trauma, such as a person living in a crime-ridden neighborhood or struggling with a disease like cancer.
An experience will most likely lead to emotional or psychological trauma if it is an unexpected event. When a person is unprepared for an incident, it can be a traumatic surprise that incites fear and worry. Trauma also arises when a happening occurs where the individual feels powerless. Bullying is an example of a repeated stressful situation where someone is intentionally cruel. This can traumatize an individual.
Trauma is a serious, debilitating situation. Many people do not even notice they have trauma, due to the trauma being pushed aside because it has been too painful to face. Often individuals tend to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, to avoid facing the pain of trauma.
When trauma is properly faced as it occurs, the symptoms and feelings typically last from a few days to a few months. They can gradually fade as the trauma is processed. Feelings may pop up from time to time and need to be expressed and faced in an ongoing treatment.
At Avalon’s Grand House, trauma is uncovered and faced where clients are given the tools to heal. People react in different ways following a traumatic event, and they often experience a wide range of physical and emotional effects. There is no correct or incorrect way to think, feel or respond to trauma. At Avalon Malibu, we never judge any individual’s reactions. All retorts are normal reactions to abnormal events.
Some Examples of Early-Onset Trauma May Stem From:
- Abuse (sexual, physical, or verbal)
- Separation from a loved one
- Severe illness
- Unstable or unsafe environment
- Intrusive medical procedures
- Domestic violence
- Neglect
- Bullying
Some Emotional Symptoms of Trauma:
- Anger, irritability, mood swings
- Guilt, shame, blame
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Confusion, difficulty concentrating
- Shock, denial, or disbelief
- Anxiety and fear
- Withdrawing
- Feeling disconnected
Some Physical Symptoms of Trauma:
- Racing heartbeat
- Body aches and pains
- Fatigue
- Difficulty concentrating
- Insomnia or nightmares
- Edginess and agitation
- Muscle tension
Avalon Malibu’s Trauma Treatment Center
Working through trauma can be challenging and frightening, and recovering from a traumatic event requires effort and focus. At Avalon Malibu’s Grand House, clients heal at their own pace. Our psychotherapists help our clients overcome their trauma while guiding them and protecting them throughout the process, and long through aftercare. Our holistic treatment center focuses on allowing the body and mind to flourish rather than prescribing a cookie cutter system. We use what we call the “Avalon Sanctuary Model.” It helps to assist our clients in gaining a greater insight into the root causes of pain. At Avalon, the causes can become stepping stones to a future of choice instead of compulsion. The Avalon Sanctuary Model combines the mind, body and spirit of our clients to bring out potential rather than pathology. We want our clients to embrace their past experiences, because we believe that this leads them to a doorway of freedom.
At Avalon Malibu, our clients can embrace the time spent away from an overwhelming life to find introspection. They can reframe the challenges which they must face each day. Our staff will assist with an accurate diagnosis and intense psychotherapy to resolve life-long issues involving individual illness and including family involvement if necessary.
