We all encounter tough times and traumatic events, and it’s a normal part of being human. These can include losing loved ones, accidents, feeling abandoned, seeing disasters, or facing different types of abuse. While many people go through trauma at some point, it’s important not to let that one experience take away our overall well-being. If you or someone you know is struggling with trauma, recovery is possible with help from a mental health professional.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma is a common emotional response to distressing events like natural disasters, accidents, neglect, or violence. People react differently to these experiences, so not everyone will respond the same way. Right after a traumatic event, feelings of shock and denial are common. Over time, they may experience unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms.
While these reactions are typical, some people may struggle to cope with them. Their distress can affect their thoughts, feelings, and behaviours, potentially leading to a mental health condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can disrupt various aspects of life.
Trauma Treatment In Thailand
Data from research and clinical practice show that the best treatment plan for PTSD and trauma is a combination of therapy and medication. Specifically, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a leading treatment for stress and trauma-related issues. EMDR helps people process traumatic memories by recalling them while engaging in bilateral stimulations like eye movements, taps, or sounds. This process can lead to healthier and more rational thinking. EMDR therapy sessions consist of eight phases such as history taking, preparation, assessment, desensitization, installation, body scan, closure, and re-evaluation.
In addition, group therapy can also serve as an alternative therapeutic intervention for those who prefer not to have one-on-one therapy. The main goal is to provide a safe environment for individuals to share and process their traumatic experiences. A trained therapist leads the group, guiding discussions about trauma, coping strategies, and the healing process. Medication, such as the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), remains a gold standard in managing the symptoms of trauma, such as numbing, avoidance, increased arousal, and intrusive thoughts. It is important to note that responses to medication can differ from person to person. SSRIs may take a few weeks to show their full effects, but some symptom relief might be noticed within a week or two.
Why Choose Orchid For Trauma Treatment
While there are treatment facilities located in your vicinity, there are several reasons to pursue trauma treatment at Orchid in Thailand. Among these reasons are:
Highly Skilled And Compassionate Staff
Our team takes great pride in their deep knowledge and skills in all areas of mental health and addiction. We keep ourselves informed about the newest methods and training to ensure our clients receive the best care available. In addition, whether you are with clinicians or support staff, you can feel confident that you are surrounded by people who genuinely understand your journey.
Residential Treatment With Aftercare Services
At Orchid, we recognize that support for addiction goes beyond just the residential treatment program. Hence, we provide an aftercare program to prevent potential relapse. Our dedication to our clients’ well-being continues even after their time with us, and we are committed to helping them find lasting success in their recovery journey.
Family Involvement In The Treatment
We see the family as a key part of the recovery journey from any mental health condition or addiction. These conditions impact not only the person struggling but also their family and loved ones. To ensure we help our clients fully, we actively involve their families in the treatment process. A therapist leads a family program that connects clients with their families.
Individualized Treatment Program
Our treatment programs are customized for each patient according to their specific needs. We are committed to collaborating with every patient to understand and meet their unique recovery needs. From drug detox and therapy to aftercare and more, we prioritize tailored treatment to help each patient achieve the best possible results when they leave our facility.
Dual Diagnosis Treatment
At Orchid, we recognize that mental health conditions frequently occur alongside drug or alcohol addiction. Our comprehensive dual-diagnosis treatment approach is designed to address both these conditions simultaneously.
Holistic Approach
One key feature that distinguishes Orchid from other treatment centres is our focus on a holistic wellness approach. Our program includes physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual health, which are all essential parts of recovery. By using this approach, we support a complete and balanced recovery experience that considers all aspects of a person’s well-being.
Mental Health Treatments
Apart from trauma treatment, Orchid also provides comprehensive intervention programs for other mental health conditions using evidence-based therapies.
Depression Treatment
Medication and therapy can alleviate symptoms of depression. The combined approach has demonstrated significantly superior outcomes, particularly for individuals experiencing more severe, chronic, and complex forms of depression.
Anxiety Treatment
Anxiety disorder treatments vary depending on the type of disorder. Typically, they involve a combination of therapy and medication. These approaches help manage anxiety symptoms and allow individuals to learn coping strategies for dealing with anxiety attacks and other triggers.
Dialectical Behavior Therapy
Dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT) is an evidence-based approach that aims to teach skills for handling strong emotions and improving social interactions. Initially created to help individuals with severe suicidal tendencies, it is now widely used for various mental health conditions. DBT includes four main modules such as mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness.
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is a proven and goal-oriented type of talk therapy used for various mental health issues. It emphasizes the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and actions. CBT helps people recognize negative thought patterns and replace them with healthier ones.
Signs And Symptoms Of Trauma
While the signs and symptoms of trauma may vary depending on the severity, people with this condition generally experience the following:
Cognitive Symptoms
Cognitive symptoms in individuals with trauma include changes in thoughts and challenges with memory, attention, planning, and problem-solving skills. People may have repeated, unwanted memories or thoughts about the trauma, which can be difficult to manage and may affect the individual’s focus on everyday tasks.
In addition, trauma can also disrupt sleep, which leads to nightmares or distressing dreams that bring back the traumatic event. Flashbacks may happen as if the event is occurring again.
Behavioural Symptoms
Changes in the behaviour of people with trauma are often the most noticeable symptoms since they can be seen by others. After experiencing trauma, people tend to avoid situations, events, places, or reminders linked to the trauma event. They may also be overly alert or hypervigilant.
In addition, they might use unhealthy coping methods, like drinking or using drugs, and often isolate themselves or withdraw from social interactions. Many also lose interest in activities they once found pleasurable.
Emotional And Psychological Symptoms
Emotional and psychological symptoms can manifest promptly following direct exposure to or observation of a traumatic incident. Symptoms may encompass heightened fear and anxiety, episodes of panic, depressive states, emotional detachment, abrupt expressions of anger, aggression, irritability, denial, as well as feelings of guilt and shame.
Physical Symptoms
Trauma can show up in many physical ways, affecting the body significantly. People often experience changes in their appetite, which can lead to weight loss because they may not feel like eating or are dealing with emotional pain. Other physical reactions can include heavy sweating, nausea, or vomiting, often triggered by anxiety or reminders of the trauma.
In addition, the body’s response to stress can cause a fast heartbeat and high blood pressure, highlighting the strong link between trauma and physical health.
Negative Effects Of Trauma
Trauma presents negative consequences to an individual’s overall well-being. It can lead to psychological problems that may persist if left untreated.
Problems With Self-Esteem
If someone goes through trauma, especially in childhood, while the brain is still growing and forming connections, then it can greatly affect how they view themselves. When a person’s self-esteem is low or unstable, it becomes hard to find satisfaction in relationships, work, school, or achieving goals. This creates a cycle of low self-esteem, leaving the individual feeling hopeless about their future.
In some cases, people who have experienced trauma may have a feeling that they are very important and have high opinions of themselves. This inflated self-image is a way to protect against the painful feelings of being rejected and unlovable.
Loss of Sense Of Self
The development of a person’s identity is closely linked to the painful effects of trauma. Traumatic experiences can trigger deep self-reflection and shake up a person’s beliefs, values, and how they see themselves, which can harm their overall sense of identity. This can lead to a negative change in self-image, resulting in shame and a skewed view of oneself.
Loss Of Trust
Survivors of trauma often struggle with trusting themselves. After a traumatic event, it becomes difficult to believe in the good intentions of others. Someone you trusted may have betrayed that trust, whether it was a family member, a friend, an authority figure, or a partner.
As a result, you might refuse to let yourself be vulnerable again, which leads you to see everyone as a possible threat. This can cause you to view the world more negatively. When you meet new people, you might automatically think they are dishonest or have bad motives.
Dissociation
Dissociation happens when we feel disconnected from our bodies and experiences. Dissociation can be triggered after traumatic events or from long-term trauma. It can impact memory, identity, how we see the world, and our connection to our bodies.
Dissociation acts as a coping tool that the body uses to handle overwhelming feelings and stress. While it can be a natural response to trauma and helpful at the moment, it can become a problem if it occurs too often or too intensely, which can lead to distress. For instance, it may cause difficulties in learning or remembering and feelings of disconnection from personal relationships.
Get Your Trauma And PTSD Treated At Orchid
Whether you want to learn about trauma, look into treatment options, find support, or explore recovery methods for trauma or other mental health conditions, Orchid is here to remind you that you are not alone. We understand that it can be difficult to talk about your traumatic experiences, but getting help early can turn your pain into hope.
Connect with our treatment centre today, and let’s begin your trauma recovery journey.