Individuals who experience trauma can use a variety of methods to cope with their symptoms. Self-help methods include spending time with friends and family and maintaining social connections. Talking with supportive people about your experiences and struggles can be a healing experience. Additionally, another self-help method is to maintain healthy eating, sleeping, and exercise routines. Taking care of basic physical health needs can help individuals maintain or improve their mental health. For people who need additional help dealing with trauma, behavioral health treatment programs are available.
What are the signs and symptoms of trauma?
Trauma can result in a wide range of symptoms, including:
- Physical symptoms: Trauma may cause individuals to experience increased heart rates, heart palpitations, and sweating. These symptoms result from increased adrenaline output when the person recalls the traumatic event or feels threatened by the prospect of future trauma. Individuals may also experience headaches and stomach pain.
- Emotional and psychological symptoms: Trauma may result in people feeling intense sadness and anxiety. These symptoms are similar to symptoms of depression, and these individuals may avoid social interactions. In other cases, individuals may experience anger and resentment. People may also experience feelings of guilt.
Symptoms from trauma can be overwhelming for people, and many individuals who suffer from trauma do not know where to turn to for help. Unfortunately, these challenges result in some people turning to drugs and alcohol to self-medicate and mask their symptoms. This response can quickly lead to substance abuse issues and chemical dependency.
In extreme cases, the impacts of trauma can lead to self-harm and suicide. People who have suicidal thoughts and need to speak with a behavioral health professional immediately can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at (800) 273-8255. If you or someone you know is ever in immediate danger of physical harm, call 988 for immediate assistance.
It is important to note that people who experience the same traumatic event may exhibit different symptoms, and some people may not exhibit any symptoms at all. Accordingly, people must be open and transparent about the personal impact of traumatic experiences. People can only get the help they need if they communicate their mental health challenges with others.
How San Antonio Behavioral Healthcare Hospital’s medical staff can help address trauma
A traumatic experience can have a significant impact on a person’s mental health. Without proper treatment, the ongoing effects of trauma can take a toll on an individual’s social relationships, work performance, and physical health, too.
At San Antonio Behavioral Healthcare Hospital, our team provides mental health treatment programs for people who experience mental health challenges from traumatic events. Our treatment programs include inpatient services and outpatient services. Our inpatient programs provide 24/7 monitoring and medication management services for people who need around-the-clock attention from behavioral health professionals. Our outpatient services include intensive outpatient programs and partial hospitalization programs, and they allow patients to receive treatment for trauma-related conditions while maintaining their home routines.
Our treatment programs include individual therapy and group therapy sessions. During treatment sessions, behavioral health professionals help each patient process their trauma. This process includes helping patients cope with and understand the events that caused their trauma. Additionally, behavioral health specialists help each patient improve how they respond to trauma-related symptoms.
In addition to PTSD treatment programs for civilians, we also offer a specialized PTSD treatment program for current and former members of the military. This program, the Victory Trauma program, helps military personnel address the impacts of combat-related trauma in a safe and supportive environment. This program is exclusive to active duty military personnel and veterans, and this allows individuals to receive treatment alongside other people with similar experiences. In addition to PTSD, issues from combat-related trauma may include acute stress disorder and sexual trauma from sexual assault during military service.
Resources
https://www.webmd.com/mental-health/features/emotional-trauma-aftermath
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/tips-for-talking-with-your-health-care-provider/index.shtml
