Trauma Counselling in Geelong

Trauma is an emotional, physical and psychological response to an event that a person finds highly distressing, threatening, or harmful. This can include ongoing stressors accidents, natural disasters, physical or psychological abuse, or any experience perceived as dangerous. 

There are three main types of trauma you may identify with. These include: Acute, Chronic, or Complex trauma.

• Acute Trauma: Arises from a single distressing event.
• Chronic Trauma: Results from prolonged exposure to highly stressful situations, like ongoing abuse or violence.
• Complex Trauma: Involves exposure to multiple traumatic events, often experienced in childhood.

• Emotional and Psychological Responses: You may be experiencing a range of emotions such as fear, anxiety, guilt, sadness, or irritability. These can manifest in various ways, including flashbacks, nightmares, or emotional numbness.
• Physical Responses: Trauma can trigger physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, fatigue, sleep disturbances, and heightened arousal.
• Cognitive Responses: You may also have difficulty concentrating, and experience confusion and disrupted thought patterns. 
• Behavioural Responses: Individuals may withdraw from social activities, experience heightened irritability, or avoid situations reminiscent of the traumatic event.

Here are 15 common symptoms associated with experiencing trauma or Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD). Make a booking if you need support with any of these trauma symptoms. 

• Irritability or Anger: Frequent irritability, mood swings, or outbursts of anger disproportionate to the situation.
• Flashbacks: Vivid and distressing recollections of the traumatic event, feeling as though the experience is recurring.
• Hyperarousal: Feeling constantly on edge, easily startled, or experiencing a heightened state of alertness.
• Avoidance: Actively steering clear of reminders, places, people, or situations that trigger memories of the trauma.
• Emotional Numbing: Feeling disconnected, emotionally withdrawn, or experiencing a dulled response to emotions.
• Difficulty Concentrating: Struggling to focus, experiencing brain fog, or finding it hard to concentrate on tasks.
• Hypervigilance: Being excessively watchful or wary of potential threats in the environment.

• Shame or Guilt: Overwhelming feelings of shame or guilt related to the traumatic event or its aftermath.
• Feelings of Helplessness: Persistent feelings of powerlessness or hopelessness about the future.
• Dissociation: Feeling disconnected from oneself or the environment, as if observing oneself from outside the body.
• Self-Destructive Behaviour: Engaging in risky behaviours, or self-harm as a means of coping with emotions.
• Social Withdrawal: Pulling away from relationships, isolating oneself, or avoiding social interactions.
• Physical Symptoms: Experiencing bodily distress such as headaches, digestive issues, chronic pain, or fatigue without a clear medical cause.
• Difficulty Trusting: Struggling to trust others, forming or maintaining close relationships due to fear of betrayal or vulnerability.