Ottawa Trauma & PTSD

Feeling safe is one of our basic human needs. Traumatic experiences can shake your sense of safeness and leave you (and your body) feeling very unsafe and uncomfortable. This can impact our ability to be present, to regulate emotions safely and connect with loved ones. It’s important to remember that you are NOT your trauma nor are you responsible for it. And you get to feel empowered and regain control in your healing journey.

At The Balanced Practice, we are here to support you in navigating the impact of trauma and/or PTSD while moving towards healing. Living with trauma and PTSD is not easy, AND with the right support, you can learn to feel safe again and live a full and meaningful life.

Trauma occurs in response to an extremely stressful or disturbing event. When we have a strong emotional response to this type of event, this can lead to the formation of a memory that lives in our minds and/or in our bodies. The memory, whether or not we are consciously aware of it (or even fully remember it), can impact our ability to cope and our emotional wellbeing for years to come.

Traumatic events are not easily defined. Most people think of surviving a war or being a victim of abuse as traumatic events, and those experiences often are very traumatic. The definition of trauma does not speak to the nature of the event but how the event is felt and experienced by the individual. The experience is subjective, and what may be traumatic for some will not have the same impact on others. There is also no such thing as an event being “too insignificant” to result in trauma because any experience can be traumatic if you experience it as such.

What makes an event traumatic is the way we respond to it, and your trauma is valid no matter how “big” or “small”. It’s important to note that many of us have experienced trauma in our lives even if we don’t name it or recognize it.

• Acute trauma: This refers to a single (or brief) traumatic event.
• Chronic trauma: This refers to ongoing, repeated, and prolonged traumatic experiences.
• Complex trauma: This refers to multiple and often interrelated traumatic experiences that are ongoing, repeated, and prolonged.

The type of trauma you have experienced may factor into your treatment plan.

Approximately 1 in 3 people who experience severe trauma will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), which is a type of anxiety disorder that develops in response to traumatic events. PTSD occurs after directly experiencing OR witnessing a traumatic event. This can include hearing about a traumatic event (especially one that happened to a loved one) and exposure to graphic details of a traumatic event (e.g. first responders).

Symptoms of PTSD may include: intrusive memories, reliving traumatic events through flashbacks and nightmares, feeling triggered by specific stimuli that remind one of the event, avoidance of anything that may remind one of the event, feeling easily startled, sleep disturbances, trouble concentrating, constant vigilance, guilt, shame, and irritability. PTSD can also impact mood, leading to depression and social withdrawal.

Traumatic experiences before the age of 6 can have a significant impact on brain development. Early childhood trauma (or adverse childhood experiences) may lead to increased risk of physical and mental health challenges later in life.

• Trauma and PTSD can impact folks of all genders and backgrounds. Trauma does not discriminate, and no one is immune to the effects of trauma on our brains.
• There are different types of traumas, and they can impact the brain and body differently. This is why there is no single treatment for trauma and PTSD, and individualized care is so important.
• Trauma and PTSD can be a factor in the development and maintenance of eating disorders and disordered eating.

If you have a history of trauma, it is extremely important to ensure that you are accessing trauma-informed care. This means that your care providers recognize the impact of trauma on your life and tailor your treatment to meet your needs. Trauma-informed care providers are aware of how trauma impacts the brain and body, and are able to provide a safe, non-judgmental space for healing.

Treatment of trauma and PTSD often includes several therapeutic modalities, including:

• ACT
• DBT
• CBT
• Psychodynamic Therapy
• EMDR (Eye Movement and Desensitization Reprocessing)

Pharmacological treatment can also be helpful for some individuals. Through our affiliation with Psychotherapy Matters, our therapy team can connect you with a psychiatrist if pharmacological treatment may be beneficial for your care.

It is very common for individuals coping with trauma and PTSD to struggle with disordered eating at the same time. The state of our mental health significantly impacts our relationship with food, and vice versa. The Balanced Practice team are experts in helping you heal your relationship with food along with your trauma and PTSD. Whether you have an eating disorder, struggle with disordered eating, have mood related appetite changes, body image concerns, or trauma related to your body, our team is here to help you address these issues.

At The Balanced Practice, we are committed to helping you find ways to manage trauma and heal from PTSD in order to live a happy and fulfilling life. Our approach is weight inclusive, anti-carceral, evidence-based, lived experience informed and collaborative. You are at the center of care, always. We aim to create a space where you can feel seen, heard, understood, and empowered to achieve your treatment goals.

You don’t have to walk through your mental health journey alone- we are here to help you, and be your support system along the way.