Going through a traumatic event can lead to severe mental health issues – like anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even co-existing substance use disorders. Patients will most likely benefit from dual diagnosis treatment to deal with trauma. A dual diagnosis means that a patient needs help for more than one issue. Usually, one of these is a substance use disorder.
A trauma therapy program can help patients deal with experiences from their childhood or even a recent event – anything that provokes intense psychological reactions from them. It can be helpful when a patient finds that dealing with their painful emotions and memories impacts their ability to lead a normal and healthy life.
Trauma doesn’t resolve itself easily, and it’s very difficult to deal with it on your own. Trauma-informed care at Northpoint Seattle provides patients with a safe environment to deal with their issues and overcome a dual diagnosis. Learn more by contacting Northpoint Seattle online or by calling 888.483.6031.
What Can Trauma Therapy Address?
A traumatic event for a patient is when they perceive a threat to their life, health, or sanity. Trauma happens when a patient’s ability to cope becomes completely overwhelmed. A trauma therapy program is a form of professional mental health treatment that helps you regain your footing. In trauma-informed care, therapists can assist patients in overcoming psychological trauma.
In trauma therapy, the patient begins their healing process by discovering – along with their therapist – what exactly is causing them pain. Trauma from past events can threaten their lives now, so this part of trauma-informed care is vital. Trauma therapy programs are designed to locate the root cause of a patient’s problems, dual diagnosis or not.
How Does Trauma Arise?
Many people experience trauma in different ways. Some common traumatic events they may be exposed to include:
Abuse: This includes verbal, physical, sexual, or emotional abuse.
Childhood neglect: If you were not well taken care of as a child or were ignored, this can be a traumatic experience.
Combat: People that have experienced military combat may be more likely to develop PTSD.
Domestic violence: Even if you weren’t the victim of violence, simply being around during incidences of it may traumatize you. Some people might also have been held captive by someone else at some point in time.
Surviving an act of nature: A tornado, hurricane, or earthquake can result in a period of trauma for its survivors.
Surviving a car or plane accident: Similarly, any physical accident you survive may also be traumatic, especially if other people involved didn’t survive.
Signs Trauma Therapy Is Necessary
Some people find themselves overwhelmed with anxiety when they struggle to cope with the issues arising from traumatic events. However, not everyone who goes through a traumatic experience will require trauma-informed care as a part of mental health treatment. Signs that you may need trauma therapy include:
- Dealing with chronic pain or other physical health issues
- Experiencing rapid and unintentional weight fluctuations
- Feeling emotional distress and sensitivity
- Having brain fog or a hard time focusing on responsibilities
- Trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
- Using substances to self-medicate and self-soothe
Remember that trauma may also affect a person’s physical well-being. Your primary care doctor may recommend or refer you to a trauma therapy program.
Trauma therapy programs are typically used in mental health, addiction treatment, and dual diagnosis treatment programs – alongside other therapies like group therapy or individual therapy. However, what doesn’t change is that every trauma therapy program seeks to reduce the emotional and psychological turmoil you are enduring.
Find Dual Diagnosis Treatment at Northpoint Seattle
Today is the day to overcome your mental health issues and substance use disorders. To learn how trauma-informed care can help you or how to get started on the admission process for dual diagnosis treatment, contact the Northpoint Seattle team online or contact us at 888.483.6031.