Who Can I Talk to About Trauma Issues?

Many people who suffer from a traumatic event, such as military combat, physical or sexual abuse, a severe accident, a sudden loss, a natural disaster or a violent crime, try to stifle their feelings and get on with their lives. While there are some people who are able to put a traumatic incident behind them within a couple of weeks, many are burdened with symptoms for months, years or even a lifetime.

Often, those who have survived a trauma try to stifle their reactions, believing that showing them or talking about them will be construed as weakness or a lack of will. Many turn to alcohol or drugs to ease their distress, and far too many end up with an addiction. Keeping silent or trying to self-medicate is a losing proposition. The more you try to stuff your feelings, thoughts and emotions down, the stronger they get and the more havoc they will wreak on your life.

Talk to Someone to Break Free of Trauma Issues

Talking to a qualified therapist can be your best option for breaking free of trauma issues. Depression, panic attacks, anxiety disorders, sleep disorders, reliving the trauma and responding inappropriately to stimuli can all be conquered by understanding the trauma and its aftereffects and by learning coping mechanisms to deal with the symptoms. Cognitive therapy and behavior modification will go a long way, and may be aided by anti-depressive or anti-anxiety medications. If your trauma issues are not making it impossible for you to function productively in your daily life, you may be able to effect a full recovery with outpatient counseling.

Finding Support to Talk Through Trauma Issues

Joining a support group can help, too, either as an adjunct to your therapy or by itself if your symptoms are not too severe. Just talking to people who have been through similar situations can help, and they may also be able to give you some useful tools for coping with events and stimuli.

If your trauma symptoms are more severe and debilitating, inpatient treatment at a residential trauma rehab center may be your best option for the quickest possible recovery. At a residential facility, you will undergo intensive counseling and be able to devote all your energies to your recovery. If you have developed a substance abuse problem, inpatient treatment is even more strongly indicated. An addiction that is severe or longstanding will require detox, which should be done under medical supervision before therapy in earnest can begin.

Whatever option you choose, know that you are not alone. Call the toll-free number provided to learn more about whom you can talk to about your trauma issues.