Trauma refers to an emotional response to an overwhelming physically or emotionally threatened event. It can be caused due to stressful life events in childhood or adulthood, such as abuse, relationship violence, loss, assault, and more.

Emotional and psychological trauma can leave you struggling with upsetting memories, emotions, and anxiety that won’t go away easily. It can leave you numb, disconnected, and unable to trust other people.

Emotional and psychological trauma can result from:

• One-time events – such as accident, injury, or violent attack, especially if it was unexpected or occurred in childhood.

• Ongoing, relentless stress – such as living in a crime-ridden neighbourhood, battling a life-threatening illness, or experiencing traumatic events like bullying, childhood neglect, or domestic violence.

• Overlooked causes – such as surgery, the sudden death of someone close, relationship issues, or deeply humiliating experiences.

Coping with such traumatic events on your own can bring unique challenges. Gladly, psychologists in Dubai are available to provide trauma-focused care and treatment to help individuals let go of the past and move on with a meaningful purpose to live.

Read on to know more about emotional and psychological trauma, healing, and seeking help.

What is emotional and psychological trauma?

Highly painful circumstances can shatter your sense of security and leave you feeling vulnerable in the dangerous world, and this can lead to emotional and psychological trauma. You may find it difficult to manage feelings, memories, and anxiety. You may experience numbness, alienation, and a lack of confidence in other people.

Symptoms of emotional and psychological trauma

Different individuals respond differently to the same traumatic event. A few signs of emotional and psychological trauma include:

• Disbelief, denial, or shock

• Angry, irritable, and moody

• Confusion and attention issues

• Fear and anger

• Shame, guilt, and self-blame

• Excluding oneself from others when depressed or hopeless

• Having a distant or numb feeling

Physical signs:

• Nightmare or insomnia

• Fatigue

• Difficulty concentration

• Rapid heart rate

• Anxiety and nervousness

• Pains and aches

Treatment for Trauma

To recover from psychological and emotional trauma, you need to resolve unpleasant feelings and memories you’ve long avoided. You need to learn how to regulate emotions and build your ability to trust other people.

A mental health professional in UAE uses a variety of therapy approaches, which are as follows:

• Somatic experience – It focuses on bodily sensations, rather than thoughts and memories about traumatic events. It encourages you to pay attention to what’s happening in your body and release trauma-related energy through shaking, crying, or other forms of physical response.

• Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) – It helps to replace adverse traumatic thoughts and feelings with positive ones to lead a healthier life.

• Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR) – It incorporates elements of CBT with eye movements or other forms of rhythmic, left-right stimulation that can unfreeze traumatic memories.

Trauma Recovery Tips

• Get Moving

Trauma disrupts your body functions and thus, exercise and movement can help repair your nervous system. Make sure to exercise to engage both arms and leg movement. Add a mindfulness element to notice the rhythm of your breathing and other body movements to know your strengths.

• Don’t Isolate Yourself

Due to trauma, you may want to withdraw from others, but isolation only makes things worse. Connecting to someone you love, or a therapist can help you heal, maintain relationships, and feel engaged.

• Take care of your health

A healthy body can increase your ability to cope with the stress of trauma. So, ensure to get plenty of sleep, avoid alcohol consumption, eat a well-balanced diet, and reduce stress.

Conclusion:

Recovering from trauma takes ample time, but if months have passed and your symptoms aren’t letting up, you may need a licensed therapist to support your healing journey.

Seek help if you are:

• Having trouble functioning at home or work

• Suffering from severe fear, depression, or anxiety

• Unable to form close, satisfying relationships

• Avoiding events that remind you of trauma

• Experiencing nightmares and flashbacks

• Emotionally numb and disconnected from others

Working through trauma can be scary, painful, and disheartening. Speak to a therapist to learn ways to cope with distress and address trauma-related thoughts and feelings. Seeking support is crucial if you are having suicidal thoughts, worsening mental health symptoms, or are physically hurt.