Trauma and Resilience: Your Questions Answered

by Keith A. Young

Overview

Aimed primarily at teens and young adults, the information, guidance, and resources in this book will also make it valuable for anyone directly or indirectly affected by trauma as well as those wishing to learn new resiliency and coping strategies.

Traumatic experiences come in many forms, from fighting in a war zone to suffering abuse at the hands of a stranger or a loved one to being in or witnessing an accident. Trauma can have far-reaching and long-lasting negative impacts, affecting psychological well-being, relationships, and even physical health. But with proper treatment, many individuals are able to not only survive after trauma, but thrive.

Books in Greenwood's Q&A Health Guides series follow a reader-friendly question-and-answer format that anticipates readers' needs and concerns. Prevalent myths and misconceptions are identified and dispelled, and a collection of case studies illustrates key concepts and issues through relatable stories and insightful recommendations. Each book also includes a section on health literacy, equipping teens and young adults with practical tools and strategies for finding, evaluating, and using credible sources of health information both on and off the internet—important skills that contribute to a lifetime of healthy decision-making.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781440870965
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Academic
Publication date:	02/15/2021
Series:	Q&A Health Guides
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	6.40(w) x 9.50(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Keith A. Young, LCPC, CCTP, CH, is a licensed counselor, certified clinical trauma professional, and certified hypnotherapist with a private practice in Bangor, ME.

Table of Contents

Series Foreword ix

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction xiii

Guide to Health Literacy xvii

Common Misconceptions about Trauma and Resilience xxv

Questions and Answers 1

The Basics 3

1 What is trauma? 3

2 What are the different trauma conditions, and how are they diagnosed? 7

3 How common is trauma in the United States? 10

4 What types of events and experiences are the most likely to cause trauma? 12

5 Are certain groups of people more likely to experience trauma than others? 15

6 I've heard of people reacting to horrible things with a "fight, flight, or freeze" response. What is this, and what determines the response that we choose? 19

7 I experienced something that most people would consider traumatic, but I don't feel traumatized. Is this normal? 22

The Effects of Trauma 25

8 What happens to the mental health of someone who becomes traumatized? 25

9 How can trauma affect a person's memory? 28

10 Can traumatic experiences contribute to medical conditions? 30

11 How can trauma affect our relationships with others? 31

12 What is it like to experience a flashback? 34

13 Sometimes I feel like I become numb and go distant into my head. I feel no emotions at all What's happening to me? 36

14 What is borderline personality disorder, and how does it relate to trauma? 38

15 What harmful coping mechanisms do people use to deal with trauma? 42

16 Does trauma increase the likelihood that someone will abuse drugs or alcohol? 44

17 Does having PTSD make someone dangerous or more likely to abuse others? 46

18 Are traumatized people more likely to find themselves in dangerous situations later in life? 48

19 Is it true that people who have been sexually abused end up more promiscuous? 51

20 What effects does trauma have on society as a whole? 54

Resilience 57

21 What is resilience? 57

22 What factors contribute to resilience? 58

23 Can resilience be learned and improved upon? 61

24 How will I know when I've developed a strong degree of resilience? 64

25 What can teachers, health-care providers, and other professions do to help improve resilience in others? 66

Treatment Options and Recovery 69

26 How is recovery from trauma achieved? 69

27 What are some of the biggest obstacles that people face in their efforts toward recovery? 73

28 Does "getting well" from trauma mean learning how to avoid things that remind me of what happened? 75

29 What common elements exist among trauma treatments? 76

30 What is EMDR? 79

31 What is trauma-focused CBT? 81

32 What is in vivo desensitization? 82

33 What is prolonged exposure therapy? 84

34 What is internal family systems therapy? 86

35 Can hypnosis be used for trauma treatment? 88

36 What is neurofeedback? 89

37 What are somatic experiencing and sensorimotor therapies? 91

38 What medications are prescribed in the treatment of trauma? 93

39 How can massage, yoga, acupuncture, and acupressure help trauma survivors? 94

40 How can support groups and community groups help in the treatment of trauma? 96

41 What part does family and social support play in recovery? 98

42 What can I do to help a friend or family member suffering from trauma, and who can I contact for help? 100

43 What kinds of treatments help with borderline personality disorder? 102

44 Which treatments are recommended for veterans? 104

45 Is it possible to be fully recovered from trauma? 105

46 What is life like after trauma? 106

Case Studies 111

Glossary 123

Directory of Resources 131

Bibliography 135

Index 151