Traumatic Experiences Community Daily Check-In: Wednesday 20 May

Traumatic Experiences Check-In 20 May 2020

Good morning everyone and thank you for taking the time to participate in todays Check-in. Todays topic is about How one would seek help with trauma. Some survivors of trauma are reluctant to seek help from a mental health professional because they may think of it as being a sign of weakness. It is best not to wait if one feels they are suffering from trauma. Many treatment options are available that can help either you or them feel better and overcome the stressful feelings and situations which come from trauma. The question is how does one seek help from said trauma and what kind of help is there for all of us?

Aside from Listeners and the wonderful therapists here at 7 cups of Tea; there is SAMHSA a confidential, free, 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year, information service, in English and Spanish, for individuals and family members facing mental and/or substance use disorders. This service provides referrals to local treatment facilities, support groups, and community-based organizations. Callers can also order free publications and other information. SAMHSA's number is 1-800-662-HELP (4357). Below I will discuss various forms of treatment for individuals suffering from trauma providing a brief explanation of each one.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

This type of well-researched "talk" therapy is strongly recommended for the treatment of PTSD. It's also regularly used to treat depression and anxiety in people who have gone through a trauma. When seeking Cognitive Behavioral Therapy the goal is to work through the negative, harmful thought patterns challenging them along the way. If one believes that terrible things will always happen for example; their therapist may try to change the individuals tendency to over-generalize, so that they are better equipped to evaluate situations. These sessions can be in a one-on-one setting or in group therapy sessions.

Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)

This particular type of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy focuses on detailing the trauma. One might be asked to write their account of the trauma in hopes to adjust ones response to the trauma. This is done with assistance from ones therapist. It may also be combined with other CBT techniques.

Prolonged Exposure (PE)

This is yet another sub form of CBT. This is basically what it sounds like: One will slowly and repeatedly be "exposed" to the traumatic event, either by imagining it in detail or, if possible, going to a place or re-creating a situation similar to your event. Though many people desperately want to avoid thinking about the trauma because it is so stressful; deliberately and strategically reliving it within the safe confines of therapy is one of the best ways for it to lose its power over them.

Brief Eclectic Psychotherapy (BEP)

This form of treatment shares some similarities with CBT, however it is a much more centered approach designed to take place across several sessions. The individual will be asked to bring a supportive person with them to the first session. During that session, the individual will provide an overview of their trauma while the therapist outlines future sessions. In sessions after this, the individual will relive the trauma by talking about it as if it is happening in the present. The individual might be asked to bring in clothing, mementos, or other items to help get through the process. Halfway through the sessions, the appointments focus on how the trauma has changed the individuals view of theirself and the world around them. They will also talk about what they learned from the trauma. In the final session, they will summarize what they have learned in therapy. The individual may also desire to take part in a farewell ritual to help them symbolically shut the door on that chapter of their life.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) Therapy

Very different from the other forms of therapy that spotlight ones emotions and reactions to a traumatic experience, this focuses only on the memory of the event itself. The underlying principle is that some people have a difficult time transitioning past their trauma due to it never properly processing in their brain. Their therapist will guide them in a series of eye movements. Hand taps, buzzers, or lights might also be used while the individual is asked to briefly think about their trauma.

Now these listed above are the therapeutic methods of help but there are many ways to receive help for overcoming traumatic experiences. Doctors may prescribe medication to treat the symptoms associated with suffering a traumatic experience. The individual may prefer therapy over medication or vice versa. Many use both forms of treatment to overcome their experienced trauma. If one is unable to afford to pay for therapy they can check within their local community to see what options are available for them at low to no cost to them.

I do hope the information listed above is useful to you all and may go on to help many of you to overcome any trauma experienced in any of your lives.This topic was picked by an active participant in the forum and I would like to take this time to thank them and all of you for your continued contributions to the forum. We love and appreciate all of you no matter what you are struggling with. I will ask these three questions of you:

How are you feeling today?

Have you sought or do you plan to seek help to overcome past and/or current trauma and if so which form of treatment would you or have you considered seeking?

What general topics would you like to see me use for next weeks check-ins?

As always I would like to wish you all a better today than yesterday in hopes of a brighter and more beautiful tomorrow!

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