Intensive Trauma Therapy

After someone has experienced significant trauma, usually the only way of coming out of it is by doing trauma work. A successful form of treatment is known as intensive trauma therapy. If you are suffering from trauma, Emerald Isle offers a full array of therapy methods that can help with healing.

Intensive trauma therapy programs usually incorporate a number of these modalities to help restore someone who has experienced trauma back to wellness. Intensive trauma therapy can either be done as part of an inpatient or outpatient program, but is often the foundation of inpatient trauma treatment.

Keep reading to find out more about intensive trauma therapy and the programs available at Emerald Isle Health & Recovery!

What is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder?

PTSD is a mental illness that can develop after a person has been exposed to a traumatic event. Symptoms of PTSD can include reliving the event through flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of places or things that remind the person of the traumatic event, hypervigilance, and feeling “on edge.”

People with PTSD may also have difficulty sleeping and concentrating, feel irritable and easily angered, and experience changes in their mood and emotional reactions.

It is estimated that around 70% of people will experience a traumatic event at some time in their lives. Of those, up to 20% will develop PTSD. While the effects of PTSD can be debilitating, there are effective treatments available.

PTSD can occur in anyone at any age, including children. It is most common among women, people who have experienced multiple traumatic events, and people who have experienced childhood trauma like child abuse.

It is thought to occur because the individual is unable to process or cope with the experience in a healthy way. The event may be something that happened to them personally, or something they witnessed happening to someone else.

What are the Symptoms of PTSD?

There are many different symptoms of PTSD, and they can vary in severity. Some people may experience just a few symptoms, while others may experience many. The most common symptoms include:

• Intrusive thoughts or memories of the event
• Nightmares or flashbacks of the event
• Avoidance of anything that reminds them of the event
• Negative changes in mood or thinking
• Feelings of guilt, shame, or worthlessness
• Loss of interest in activities that used to be enjoyable
• Irritability or anger
• Difficulty concentrating
• Hypervigilance or being on edge all the time
• Sleep problems

Intensive therapy options for PTSD

PTSD is treatable, and there are many effective trauma-healing treatments. Here are just a few of the most common trauma therapy options that are prescribed as part of an intensive therapy program:

Exposure therapy

Exposure therapy is a type of trauma treatment that aims to help people overcome their fear of certain situations, objects, or memories. The idea behind exposure therapy is that by repeatedly confronting what they’re afraid of in a safe and controlled environment, people will eventually learn that there’s nothing to be afraid of and their fear will dissipate.

There are different types of exposure therapy, but all of them involve gradually exposing the person to whatever it is they’re afraid of. This can be done in a number of different ways, including imaginal exposure, in which the person imagines the feared situation; in vivo exposure, in which the person is exposed to the real-life situation; and virtual reality exposure, in which the person is exposed to a computer-generated simulation of the feared situation.

Exposure therapy has been shown to be an effective treatment for a variety of different fears and phobias, including fear of flying, fear of public speaking, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). If you’re considering exposure therapy as a treatment option, it’s important to work with mental health professionals who have experience treating the specific fear or phobia that you’re struggling with.

When done correctly, exposure therapy can be a very successful treatment for overcoming fear and anxiety. But it’s not right for everyone, and it’s important to understand what you’re getting into before you start.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT is an evidence-based approach that has been proven to be effective in treating a variety of trauma-related disorders, including PTSD. CBT for trauma typically includes exposure therapy and also cognitive restructuring.

This is a process of challenging and changing the negative thoughts and beliefs that can result from a traumatic experience. This can help to reduce the symptoms of PTSD and other trauma-related disorders.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a trauma treatment that has been shown to be an effective treatment for people suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). EMDR therapy uses bilateral eye movements, or other forms of rhythmic stimulation, to help the brain process and assimilate traumatic memories. This type of therapy has been found to be particularly helpful in reducing the severity of PTSD symptoms, such as flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts.

EMDR therapy is typically conducted in a series of sessions, with each session focusing on a specific memory or event. During EMDR therapy, the therapist will work with the individual to identify any negative beliefs or emotions that are associated with the trauma.

Once these negative beliefs have been identified, the therapist will then help the individual to reframe these beliefs in a more positive light. The therapist will also use bilateral eye movements or other forms of stimulation to help the individual process and assimilate the memory.

EMDR therapy has been found to be an effective treatment for PTSD, and has helped many individuals to reduce the severity of their symptoms.

Medications Used to Treat Intensive Trauma

Medications are used to treat a range of different mental illness issues, including PTSD. Using medications for PTSD can reduce trauma symptoms.

It is important to understand that not everyone will respond to medications in the same way. Some people may find that a certain medication helps to lessen their symptoms while others may not experience any relief at all. There are a variety of different medications that can be used to treat PTSD. You should work with a mental health professional to determine which medication or combination of medications is right for you.

Some of the most commonly prescribed medications for PTSD include:

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)

SSRIs are a type of antidepressant that may help to improve mood and alleviate some of the symptoms of PTSD such as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and sleep difficulties.

Serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs)

SNRIs are another type of antidepressant that can also be used to treat PTSD. SNRIs work by increasing the levels of serotonin and norepinephrine within the brain, which can help to improve mood and reduce symptoms.

Antipsychotics

Antipsychotics are a type of medication that is typically used to treat psychosis but can also be effective in treating PTSD. Antipsychotics can help to reduce symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and paranoia.

Benzodiazepines

Benzodiazepines are a type of medication that is typically used for the short-term treatment of anxiety. However, they can also be effective in treating the symptoms of PTSD such as insomnia, nightmares, and flashbacks.

While medications can be an effective treatment for PTSD, it is important to remember that they are not a cure. Medications can help to lessen the symptoms of PTSD and make it easier to cope with the disorder, but they will not completely eliminate the condition.

In addition, it is important to be aware that some medications can have side effects and should be used with caution. If you are considering taking medication for your PTSD, be sure to speak with a mental health professional about the potential risks and benefits.

Adverse Childhood Experiences

Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) are a major cause of trauma in children and adults. ACEs include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse; witnessing domestic violence; growing up with a parent who has a substance abuse problem or is incarcerated; or experiencing poverty or other forms of neglect.

ACEs are strongly linked to a number of health and social problems in adulthood, including mental health disorders, chronic disease, substance abuse, and suicidal ideation. The good news is that you can prevent ACEs, and there are many ways to support children and adults who have experienced them.

If you are a parent or caregiver, there are steps you can take to prevent ACEs from happening in the first place. These include creating a safe and nurturing home environment, building positive relationships with your children, and teaching them how to cope with stress and manage emotions in healthy ways.

If you or someone you know has experienced ACEs, there is help available, in the form of intensive trauma programs.

Intensive Trauma Therapy at Emerald Isle Health & Recovery

Treating trauma can be difficult on your own. Diving into your traumatic experiences and figuring out what trauma-focused therapy works for you can be challenging at the best of times.

Fortunately, you don’t have to do it alone. Emerald Isle Health & Recovery utilizes trauma-informed therapies throughout our intensive treatment program, to help you deal with your traumatic experiences. By doing this, your trauma symptoms will be significantly reduced and even eliminated from daily living.

Reach out now for a confidential call with Emerald Isle today, and start effective treatment for trauma today!