Trauma
What is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can develop after experiencing or witnessing one or more traumatic events. These events may be singular (acute) or occur repeatedly over time (chronic). While not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD, the impact of such events can still deeply affect one’s life and functioning.
Trauma reactions can manifest as intense, distressing thoughts and feelings that persist long after the event has ended. Individuals with PTSD or severe trauma reactions may relive the event through flashbacks or nightmares, experience overwhelming emotional or physical distress when confronted with reminders of the trauma, and often feel a heightened sense of danger, even in safe environments. These symptoms can severely impair daily functioning and strain relationships, making it challenging to lead a fulfilling life.
Trauma Reactions Can Show Up In Our Lives In Many Ways
Re-Experiencing Symptoms
Re-experiencing symptoms involve reliving the traumatic event. This can happen through flashbacks, bad dreams, or intrusive thoughts. The emotions and physical reactions can feel as real as the original event, making it difficult for the individual to separate past trauma from the present.
Common re-experiencing symptoms include:
- Flashbacks, where the individual feels as though the event is happening again
- Nightmares about the traumatic event or other distressing scenarios
- Intrusive thoughts or memories that are difficult to control
Avoidance Symptoms
Avoidance symptoms involve staying away from places, events, or objects that remind the individual of the traumatic experience. This can extend to avoiding thoughts or feelings related to the trauma, leading to emotional numbness and withdrawal from daily activities or relationships.
Typical avoidance behaviors include:
- Avoiding reminders of the trauma, such as specific locations or situations
- Refusing to talk about the traumatic event or suppressing memories of it
- Detachment from loved ones and a lack of interest in activities once enjoyed. This can often lead to severe interpersonal difficulties and a negative impact on important relationships
Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms
Arousal and reactivity symptoms can lead to a constant feeling of being on edge or high alert, which may manifest as irritability, anger, or difficulty sleeping. These symptoms are not necessarily triggered by reminders of the traumatic event but are ongoing, causing significant strain on mental and physical health.
Common arousal and reactivity symptoms include:
- Being easily startled or feeling tense and “on guard.”
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Irritability or angry outbursts without a clear cause
Cognitive and Mood Symptoms
Cognitive and mood symptoms involve negative changes in beliefs and feelings. Individuals may experience feelings of guilt or shame, lose interest in activities they once found enjoyable, or feel emotionally numb.
Common cognitive and mood symptoms include:
- Intense negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world. This can felt as having poor self-esteem
- Distorted feelings of guilt or blame related to the trauma
- Difficulty remembering key aspects of the traumatic event
- Impulsively engaging in risky behaviors such as self-harm or frivolous spending
Treating Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Trauma
Personalized Treatment Plan:
PTSD and trauma affect everyone differently, making a personalized treatment plan essential. Your plan is designed to consider the unique nature of your traumatic experiences, symptoms, and life circumstances. By focusing on you as a whole person, treatment can be tailored to help you regain control of your life and move toward healing.
Dr. Ballas’s Approach:
- Holistic View: Treatment addresses your mental, emotional, and physical health, both past and present. Trauma’s impact varies greatly; for some, it may affect every aspect of life, while others might see its influence in specific areas like relationships
- Customization: Therapy is tailored to your specific symptoms and life situation, taking into account your unique circumstances, resilience factors, and support systems
- Client-Centered Progress: You set the pace and goals of your treatment, with Dr. Ballas providing patient, compassionate support and expert guidance. Processing trauma can be challenging, but with the right approach, it is possible to heal
- Goal-Oriented: While we cannot change the past or simply “get over” trauma, we can learn to live with it in a way that allows us to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life
Psychoeducation
Through psychoeducation, you will:
- Understand PTSD: Learn about your specific symptoms, triggers, and the overall effects of PTSD
- Identify Your Triggers: Gain a deeper understanding of how your trauma responses and triggers impact your life
- Explore Treatment: Discover how treatment can help you better understand the effects of trauma and take steps toward living a more fulfilling life
Evidence-Based Treatments
Dr. Ballas is extensively trained in multiple “Gold Standard” treatment approaches for trauma. During his service as an Active Duty Army Clinical Psychologist, he received comprehensive training in addressing PTSD and complex trauma, including combat exposure, sexual assault, child abuse, and the unexpected loss of loved ones.
Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE)
Prolonged Exposure Therapy is a highly effective treatment for PTSD, designed to gradually expose you to thoughts, feelings, and situations related to your trauma in a controlled and safe environment. This approach helps you confront your fears, reducing their power over your life.
In PE therapy, you will:
- Confront Avoidance: Gradually face the memories and situations you’ve been avoiding through both imaginal and in-vivo exposures. By addressing avoidance, you can reclaim the parts of your life that trauma has kept closed off, including thoughts, emotions, and interactions with others
- Reduce Fear: Learn to tolerate and diminish the fear associated with your trauma. By focusing on emotional regulation techniques, confronting fears, and challenging negative thoughts related to trust, power/control, safety, and worldviews, you can better process your emotions
Build confidence and take back control of your life from trauma and PTSD. By confronting feared situations and challenging negative thoughts, you teach your brain and body that you can manage your symptoms and lead a fulfilling life.
Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
Cognitive Processing Therapy is a form of cognitive-behavioral therapy that helps reframe negative thoughts related to trauma. CPT has proven effective for various traumatic events, including child abuse, combat exposure, repeated sexual assault, and unexpected loss. By challenging and altering negative thoughts about yourself, others, and the world, you can reduce the hold trauma and PTSD has on your daily life.
CPT involves:
- Understanding Thought Patterns: Identifying and challenging harmful thoughts related to the trauma. Negative thought patterns can exacerbate symptoms and hinder recovery
- Reframing Beliefs: Developing healthier, more balanced beliefs about yourself, others, and the world can lead to significant symptom relief and enable you to open up to new possibilities in your life
