The news today feels as if it is constantly filled with trauma, stress, and pain. In the United States, school shootings are becoming all too common. On 12.16.24, a shooter targeted the Abundant Life Christian School located in Madison, Wisconsin. These types of events have an almost disbelief of terror that spreads and seeps into the community. Those who are emotionally, psychologically, and physically harmed in these events often need trauma therapy to support their body and brain to heal from this significant trauma. This blog post will explore the topic of community trauma and healing from an online EMDR therapist in Wisconsin’s perspective.
Trauma, in general, is caused by overwhelming, unpredictable events. Trauma is an umbrella word that people often use synonymously with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). However, even though PTSD occurs because of trauma, trauma is broader and more all-encompassing. The word trauma can be used to refer to a PTSD event but it can all refer to other stressful events that don’t meet PTSD criteria. These can include, bullying, divorce, changing schools, or losing a job for example.
PTSD may occur after someone experiences an unpredictable event that threatens one’s life or safety, directly witnesses a traumatic event (car accident), is exposed to traumatic details (think employment), or learns that someone they care about experienced trauma. After the trauma, this person may meet the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual criteria. If you’d like to read more about PTSD, follow this link. When trauma of this caliber occurs, it can shift people’s cognitive thoughts and disrupt nervous system functioning. Therefore, trauma symptoms may follow for those impacted by the recent school shooting in Madison, WI.
The Lingering Effects of Trauma Symptoms
Trauma symptoms may arise at any point after a traumatic experience. Some may notice changes in their internal world or inner body, whereas others may notice changes in their external environment. Unfortunately, if trauma is not integrated into the body, trauma symptoms can disrupt routine parts of your life, the relationships you value most, and your quality of life.
Common trauma symptoms may include:
Intrusive thoughts – thoughts that come in at random times.
Flashbacks – pictures pop into your mind even though they aren’t wanted.
Mood changes – it seems like you aren’t who you were before the trauma.
Perceptions become skewed to the negative – even though there are positive aspects in your life, it is difficult to let go of the negative pain of the past.
Numbness in your body and emotions – nothing seems to excite you anymore.
Sleep changes – difficulty falling asleep, waking up at random times, or sleeping too much may be a sign your body is struggling with something.
Can I Heal from Trauma?
By working with a trained trauma therapist, you can heal from trauma. All people heal and recover at different rates. Your personal history, openness to therapy, and commitment to the process will impact the speed at which you’ll heal. Don’t live your life controlled by trauma symptoms. Start healing with Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy now!
EMDR therapy is a powerful form of trauma treatment utilized in individual therapy sessions. This form of therapy helps to heal the body and nervous system by integrating past traumatic experiences, so they no longer carry the negative memories you experience. EMDR can help you reconnect with internal peace, increase your self-esteem, and improve the relationships you have with others around you.
I am a certified EMDR therapist working throughout Wisconsin and Colorado. If you live near Kenosha, WI, we can schedule in-person sessions if you prefer. Virtual EMDR therapy can be just as effective as in-person therapy sessions. Call 720.295.6703 or submit an online form by following this link here to start the process. From there, we’ll decide if we are a good fit to work together. If so, we’ll schedule our first appointment during this call. I look forward to hearing from you.
