What is trauma?
An event or series of events, and experience or prolonged experiences, and/or a threat or perceived threats to a person’s well-being.
How common is trauma?
- 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some type of traumatic event at least once in their lives. That’s 223.4 million people!
- In behavioral health, over 90% of consumers have experienced trauma.
How do I know if a trauma is impacting my life?
Are you experiencing- Fear/phobias?
- Social isolation?
- Substance abuse?
- Anxiety?
- Depression?
- Anger/rage?
- Difficulty trusting others?
- A sexual addiction?
- An eating disorder?
- Intimacy issues?
- Low self-esteem?
- Fear of failure?
- Panic attacks?
If you answered yes to any or all of these, the trauma you have experienced is impacting your life!
What can I do to cope with trauma?
- Acknowledge that you have been through traumatic events
- Connect with others, especially those who may have shared the stressful event or experienced other trauma.
- Exercise – try jogging, aerobics, bicycling or walking.
- Relax using yoga, stretching, massage, meditation, or deep breathing.
- Take up music, art or other diversions.
- Maintain a balanced diet and sleep cycle.
- Avoid over-using stimulants like caffeine, sugar or nicotine.
I have heard about PTSD. What is that?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is caused by the involvement in or exposure to a traumatic event. In a normal situation, the brain will switch the body from ‘survival mode’ to a state of restoration. PTSD is when that switch never occurs leaving the survivor in a constant state of emergency.
PTSD can occur in the aftermath of any traumatic experience and is commonly associated with returning war veterans. But, PTSD can occur from other experiences such as physical or sexual assault, car accidents, profound neglect, bullying, domestic violence, or mass casualty events.
But the good news is trauma and PTSD can be treated! And LifeLinks is here to help!
All of our counselors provide cognitive behavioral therapy – the gold standard for the treatment of trauma.
We offer a 12 session curriculum that incorporates the insights of neuroscience with the latest understanding of trauma and PTSD in girls and women.
A specialized evidence based counseling program addresses a man’s unique response to trauma.
Three of our counselors (two women and one man) are specially trained in the use of EMDR -Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing. EMDR is evidence based treatment which combines bilateral stimulation and reorganization of memories to update past emotionally-charged experiences to a healthier present perspective.
How do I get more information?
Contact our Access Center at (217) 238-5700 for more information.
LifeLinks Mental Health
750 Broadway Avenue East
Mattoon, Illinois 61938
(217) 238-5700