No one is immune from trauma, it affects individuals despite their gender, race, sexual orientation, spiritual beliefs, or socioeconomics. Trauma is a response caused by exposure to an adverse event(s) that can be direct (rape) or indirect (a child witnessing domestic violence).  There are different types of traumas which include acute (immediate response to a one-time event), chronic (prolong exposure to harmful events), complex (repeated or multiple exposures to harmful events with no escape), vicarious (witnessing others suffering) and adverse childhood experience (abuse, neglect, substance misuse by a member of a household, divorce of parents, abusive caregivers). When individuals are unable to integrate their experiences of a stressful event due to feelings of overwhelm and helplessness, they can be affected emotionally (experience sadness, excessive guilt or outbursts of anger) cognitively (experience Intrusive thoughts, idealization, memory loss, flashbacks, disassociation, depersonalization or derealization) or physically. i.e. (tiredness, fatigue, numbness, poor concentration, anxiety, hyperarousal, panic attacks or somatization) or other physical pain including stomach aches.  

Sometimes traumatized individuals continue to manage their lives as if the trauma was still occurring allowing every new encounter or event to be tainted by the past. Additionally, individuals may also suffer from low self-esteem, shame, or even blame themselves for their victimization.  In order to feel better and help manage reactions to stressful situations individuals use a variety of coping skills that can either be adaptive or maladaptive. Adaptive coping skills include, exercise, journaling, confiding in a trusted friend, yoga, meditation etc. which can lead to improvement in overall functioning and long-term stress reduction.

On the other hand, maladaptive coping skills help individuals feel better in the moment but can become harmful in the long run, for example, substance abuse of cannabis or alcohol to help them relax, forget about a problem, or decrease anxiety in social situations.  These substances may help initially, however, they may lead to a problematic pattern of use over time resulting in impairment in their daily life or noticeable distress. A person’s dependance on a substance will continue despite negative consequences.

The process of healing from trauma can become easier with assistance from a licensed professional. Here at The Drama Institute, we utilize a verity of therapeutic modalities such as psychodynamic therapy, CBT, motivational interviewing, attachment based and postmodern therapy to assist you on your journey and achieving your goals.