Life is filled with surprises; some good, some not so good. A sudden death, witnessing a horrific event, sexual or physical abuse, being the victim of a crime, even a car accident – can leave us feeling as though our very existence has been threatened. These kinds of experiences sometimes have a lasting impact. Some people find that after a traumatic event or events that they recover emotionally; others do not.
Others find that in a few days, weeks or months, they feel different. They become unable to sleep, their hands or legs get shaky for no apparent reason, their hearts seem to beat faster at times, panic may occur, or they begin having nightmares that feel vaguely or specifically related to the traumatic event. These same people may also be hyper-vigilant and attentive to noises or shifts in the environment, and their startle response may feel on hyper-alert. They want to forget and “move on,” as we all say, but they can’t.
The important thing to remember is that how we manage difficult experiences has nothing to do with what kind of person we are. Believing that having symptoms after trauma means that we are weak, unlovable, “going crazy,” or other negative beliefs just gets in the way of our feeling better.
If you’re experiencing symptoms related to a traumatic event or events, call Mary for a phone consult. She’ll talk with you and after answering your questions, will schedule a time for you to visit if you like. Your visit to Mary’s office is confidential. After a one-hour visit with Mary you can decide whether to proceed with talk therapy to reduce or get rid of your symptoms and help you get your life on track.