Virtually everyone will experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. In most cases, the brain heals over time, and the trauma becomes integrated into our overall experience. However, when a traumatic event is not fully processed or is ongoing, it can manifest in ways that affect physical, emotional, and mental well-being. The symptoms can manifest immediately or lay dormant until something triggers them weeks, months, or even years later. People may experience hypervigilance, constantly waiting for something terrible to happen. Or, they may feel fine until something triggers a memory. A trauma therapy program is designed to meet you where you are and help you process trauma properly.
The Right Step Hill Country is a Texas addiction treatment center providing comprehensive trauma-informed therapy to help clients address unresolved trauma and manage its symptoms, which often includes addressing substance use disorders (SUD). Call 1.844.675.1628 to learn how we can help you or your loved one heal.
Understanding the Different Types of Trauma
Trauma is the response to an event that is so distressing it threatens a person’s sense of safety and overwhelms their ability to cope. Everyone responds to trauma differently, even when they experience the same event or type of event. Factors that affect a person’s trauma response include:
- Age – Childhood trauma can have more lasting impacts
- Support systems – Having a solid support system buffers the effects of trauma
- Resiliency – Some people are naturally more resilient than others
- Mental health – Individuals with preexisting mental health conditions may be more susceptible
Additionally, the type and nature of the trauma, including duration, severity, and personal significance, impacts its consequences. Types of trauma include:
- Acute trauma – A single overwhelming event, such as a car accident, being robbed, or being seriously injured
- Chronic trauma – Repeated or ongoing exposure to an event, such as combat, living in a war zone, or experiencing domestic violence
- Complex trauma – Exposure to multiple traumatic events that occur over a prolonged period, such as childhood abuse or severe neglect
- Secondary or vicarious trauma – Experiencing trauma indirectly, as with first responders, medical personnel, or therapists
- Generational trauma – Historical, cultural, or familial trauma passed down through generations
A Closer Look at Generational Trauma
Generational trauma, also called transgenerational or intergenerational trauma, was first identified and explored in the 1960s. The term refers to the phenomenon of passing down the effects of unresolved trauma from one generation to the next.
Generational trauma develops when one generation experiences direct trauma, such as war, genocide, systemic oppression, or significant abuse, that is unresolved. The resulting pain and unhealthy coping mechanisms manifest as belief systems, behavior patterns, family dynamics, and parenting styles that are consciously or unconsciously adopted by the next generation, who internalize the effects of trauma as part of their own lived experiences.
Domestic violence is a common example of generational trauma. When children grow up with domestic violence, they often normalize the behavior and come to identify as either the abuser or the abused, unconsciously taking on these roles, which they then perpetuate in their adult relationships and pass on to their children.
The Importance of Talking About Trauma
People living with trauma are often reluctant to talk about it because of feelings of shame, guilt, mistrust, and fear. But holding on to trauma can be overwhelming and isolating and contribute to generational trauma. Further, unresolved trauma is often the root cause of severe conditions like anxiety, depression, PTSD, eating disorders, and substance abuse, which can impair well-being.
Talking about trauma allows you to:
- Make sense of the experience and understand how it has impacted you
- Reduce isolation by having others validate your feelings and offer support
- Challenge negative beliefs and thinking patterns and replace them with healthy ones
- Empower you to take control of your life story to become a survivor instead of a victim
- Foster collective healing by encouraging others to share their trauma
- Reduce symptoms by learning healthy coping mechanisms
Talking about trauma with a skilled professional provides a safe, non-judgmental environment where you can go at your own pace and utilize evidence-based techniques to ensure effective trauma resolution.
Enroll in Trauma Therapy at Hill Country Today
Talking about trauma is essential to its resolution and to preventing generational trauma. At Hill Country, we understand the complex nature of trauma and the damage it can cause when left untreated. Our compassionate, experienced staff provides comprehensive treatment for trauma and co-occurring substance use disorders on our beautiful 30-acre campus in rural Texas. Are you ready to take back control of your life? Call 1.844.675.1628 or complete the online form to enroll in our trauma therapy program today.