Getting Help for Trauma from an Outpatient Treatment Program

Living through traumatic events can bring about mental health issues that impair daily life. It can lead to debilitating symptoms that impact personal relationships, careers, and both physical and mental health. Fortunately, help is available and successful in assisting individuals who have experienced trauma and/or have developed mental health issues as a result of trauma. For example, the outpatient treatment program focused on trauma recovery available from Yellowbrick. But, what exactly is trauma, what are the signs of trauma-related mental health issues, and what should someone expect from trauma treatment?

What is Trauma? Identifying Traumatic Experiences

Have you been experiencing mental health issues that you think may be the result of trauma? Trauma can come in many shapes and forms including the experience of:

• being a victim of violent crimes or witnessing these occurrences
• natural disasters
• vehicular accidents
• injury
• disease or illness diagnosis
• the sudden death of a loved one
• sexual, emotional, financial, or physical abuse
• war combat

Understanding What PTSD Is

In experiences of trauma, people aren’t or don’t feel safe. This changes emotional processes which can lead to long-term issues with emotional regulation. Thus, leading to the development of behavioral and emotional issues that can be associated with mental health issues. Specifically, the development of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

It’s not abnormal to feel anxious, stressed, or unsafe after experiencing a traumatic event or events. But, in some cases, these feelings stay around even after months have passed since the most recent traumatic event. And, this can lead to debilitating symptoms, which is what defines PTSD. These symptoms can become debilitating to daily life, causing issues with work, relationships, social situations, and more.

Signs and Symptoms of PTSD

There are a few signs and symptoms of PTSD that can help you to better determine if you need help with this issue. Some of the signs and symptoms of PTSD are avoidance behaviors, anxiety, negative thoughts, and reliving the traumatic experience. Each of these symptoms comes with its own signs to look out for including:

Avoidance Behaviors:

• not being able to talk about traumatic events with others
• avoiding social situations (not leaving the house, not going to events you’re invited to, etc.)
• not being able to process emotions that have stemmed from traumatic events and neglecting thinking about what happened
• staying away from people, places, and events that may stimulate thoughts about the trauma

Anxiety:

• experiencing mood swings and bought of irritability
• not being able to sleep or sleeping too much
• having trouble with staying focused and on task
• being overly stressed and anxious

Negative Thoughts:

• not being able to control negative thinking patterns
• having apathy for things you once enjoyed
• feelings of general ‘numbness’ and not being able to fully experience emotions
• feeling very critical of yourself

Re-experiencing Traumatic Events:

• having nightmares and flashbacks of traumatic events
• not being able to stop thinking about traumatic events
• uncontrollable feelings that stem from traumatic events

Getting Help for Trauma With an Outpatient Treatment Program

Dealing with the effects of trauma and PTSD from an outpatient treatment program allows for a number of benefits. People struggling with the impacts of trauma in their lives can get the help they need without uprooting their lives, as they would with residential programs. Some things people who are contemplating getting help for trauma from an outpatient treatment program can expect include:

Assessment: During the assessment process, you’ll be asked questions about your mental health and medical history to better determine a PTSD diagnosis. You also may be asked questions about the trauma you’ve experienced and any medications you may be taking. Assessments allow for customized treatment plans that are best suited for your needs so you’ll get the best outcome from treatment possible.

Trauma Education and Groups: Being able to learn about the impacts of trauma can help you better understand why the trauma you’ve experienced is impacting your life so greatly. And, can help you build a better understanding of how to live with the impacts of trauma in your daily life. During group sessions, you’ll also be able to hear about the experiences others have with trauma, which can help you to gain resources and knowledge about living with trauma in your own life.

Trauma Therapy: During therapy sessions, you’ll divulge why and how trauma affects your daily life. This includes how it affects your personal relationships with others and yourself. This way, you can identify the negative thinking patterns and behaviors that have stemmed from the impacts of trauma. And, develop better coping skills and strategies in order to overcome these symptoms.

Outpatient Treatment Program for Trauma in Chicago

Yellowbrick offers an outpatient treatment program available for those who are living with the negative impacts of trauma and PTSD. Learn more about how we can help you overcome the debilitating effects of trauma in your life.