The Prevalence of Trauma in America
The majority of adults in America will experience a traumatic event at least once in their lives. Witnessing the death of a loved one, being the victim of sexual abuse, or living through a natural disaster—these are all examples of life-threatening or life-altering events. After such an event, it’s normal to experience stress symptoms like an increased heart rate, extreme anxiety, and trouble sleeping. However, these can sometimes develop into more severe and enduring trauma and stress-related disorders.
At Blair Wellness Group in Beverly Hills, Dr. Cassidy Blair, a licensed clinical psychologist, believes that healing begins with understanding how thoughts and experiences influence mental health. You don’t need to be a military combat veteran to be susceptible to these disorders—trauma comes in many forms and can trigger a wide variety of reactions. In this blog, we’ll explore common types of trauma and stress-related disorders and how professional trauma treatment can aid recovery.
Common Types of Trauma Disorders
Trauma disorders vary in causes and symptoms, but they all stem from past traumatic experiences. Here’s a closer look at some prevalent ones:
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
PTSD is one of the most well-researched trauma disorders. Symptoms may appear weeks, months, or even years after the event and often worsen without intervention. Dr. Blair specializes in PTSD treatment, helping clients manage flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance that can become all-consuming.
Acute Stress Disorder
This disorder can emerge shortly after a traumatic event, with symptoms resembling PTSD but typically short-lived, often resolving within days or weeks. However, about half of those affected may progress to PTSD. Early intervention through anxiety treatment can prevent escalation.
Second-Hand Trauma
Also known as vicarious trauma, this occurs from exposure to others’ first-hand traumas, common among doctors, nurses, first responders, and social workers. Dr. Cassidy Blair offers support for professionals dealing with this through tailored therapies and treatments.
Reactive Attachment Disorder
This affects children who struggle to form healthy attachments due to unmet needs for comfort, affection, and nurturing. It highlights the impact of early trauma on emotional development.
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
Similar to reactive attachment disorder but milder, DSED makes forming meaningful connections challenging for children with histories of trauma or neglect. Addressing these early can prevent long-term issues like personality disorders.
Adjustment Disorders
Characterized by intense emotional or behavioral reactions to stress, adjustment disorders make coping difficult, leading to prolonged sadness, anxiety, or isolation. Dr. Blair helps clients navigate these through strategies akin to depression treatment.
Effective Trauma Treatment Options
If trauma is impacting your daily life with distressing symptoms, know that healing is possible. Trauma treatment reprograms survival responses that perpetuate anxiety, unhappiness, or fear. Techniques like Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) can be transformative, especially when combined with support for related concerns like addictions, relationship problems, anger management, or codependency.
Contact Blair Wellness Group at 310-999-4996 to learn more and schedule an appointment for trauma treatment in Beverly Hills, Los Angeles, West Hollywood, and the surrounding areas. Request an appointment with Dr. Cassidy Blair today and take the first step toward recovery and well-being.