Understanding Trauma-Informed Care

Trauma is far more common than many people realize, and it’s capable of leaving lasting marks on our bodies and minds. Trauma doesn’t look the same for everyone; it is complex and can manifest in a wide variety of ways, both physically and emotionally. That’s why we’re shedding light on what trauma is, how it can impact a person’s life and how trauma-informed care can help people heal. 

What is trauma?

Trauma isn’t simply “something bad that happened.” It’s an event or circumstance resulting in physical, emotional and/or life-threatening harm, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Such events can include violence, abuse, neglect, an accident, loss and more. 

A traumatic event, series of events or circumstances overwhelms a person’s ability to cope and causes long-lasting harm on one or more aspects of a person’s overall wellbeing. Trauma knows no boundaries: it can impact anyone, regardless of age, gender, status or ethnicity and its effects can permeate through a person’s life long after the event in question is over, shaping how a person thinks, feels and interacts with the world. 

How does trauma affect a person mentally and physically?

Numerous studies have found that trauma alters the brain, both structurally and functionally. The body’s trauma response can physically enlarge the amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions and fear. Over time, affected individuals may be easily startled and experience an overactive fear response. At the same time, trauma can also lead to a smaller hippocampus—key for forming memories, which means individuals may experience issues with memories being either extremely vivid and intrusive, or sometimes fuzzy or even gone altogether. 

Short term effects of trauma can include shock, denial, exhaustion, confusion, sadness, numbness and dissociation. Long term, trauma can lead to mental health conditions including Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), anxiety and depression. 

What are some signs of trauma?

Trauma is highly individualized and manifests itself in various ways. Common symptoms include intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks and feeling hypervigilant or on alert all the time. Loved ones should watch out for previously-unseen behaviors including ongoing irritability, major mood swings, social problems like isolation or withdrawal, and engaging in destructive behaviors including substance use.

Trauma isn’t simply “something bad that happened.” It’s an event or circumstance resulting in physical, emotional and/or life-threatening harm. — Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

What is trauma-informed care?

Trauma-informed care is a specialized approach to treating individuals who have experienced trauma. Trauma-informed care emphasizes the importance of key principles like trust, safety and empowerment in a collaborative, supportive environment. In short, trauma-informed care removes blame from the equation by shifting focus away from “What is wrong with you?” toward “What happened to you?” 

What can you do to deal with trauma?

The first step is acknowledging that something is going on. If you recognize that you or a loved one may be suffering from the effects of trauma, it’s important to schedule a screening with a professional who specializes in trauma treatment. Even if you’ve sought help before and didn’t find it effective, a trauma-informed approach can make all the difference.

At CTI-OK, we believe that everyone who walks through our doors should be assessed for trauma. Our trauma-informed philosophy guides everything we do, allowing us to help individuals and families to heal emotional wounds, break free of generational trauma and disrupt unhealthy patterns. 

To learn more about our services, visit CTI-OK.org today or call 918-384-0002.