One consideration regarding what is considered "trauma".
There is the concept of "neurosis", which, in general, is a disturbance in one's thought patterns that causes fallacious and/or narrow perception of certain aspects of experience. Outside of any physical neurological issues that may cause problems, such disturbances are likely caused by events in one's life, especially those that cause significant fear, terror, or shame. Which, of course, sounds a lot like trauma.
Most therapists are trained to deal, in general, with all kinds of neuroses. And, as long as they working with patients for whom the neuroses are not significant in number or based upon significantly catastrophic or long-term abusive events, they have a chance to be successful. However, when the degree, intensity, and longevity of one or more negative events is significant enough, it causes changes to thought, perception, and even mental structure such that a whole different set of symptoms and issues arise -- which is what causes things like PTSD, DID, and other such profiles. These are specific and extreme conditions that require special approaches to be dealt with effectively.
In short, neuroses and PTSD can sometimes be caused by similar types of events and experiences, but the number, longevity, and intensity of those events and experiences largely determines whether PTSD or other related issues will develop.
For years, I saw generalist therapists, not knowing that there were any alternatives. It was only when I started seeing someone who had experience with trauma and trauma resolution techniques that I started to have any significant results. Different approaches work for different people, and it very much depends upon what your symptoms profile shows and your level of distress. Also, in some cases, multiple methods may be effective, but one might produce "good enough" results with less time and effort, another a deeper and more long-lasting result with significant time and struggle. There are choices that have to be made. The "good enough" approach simply wasn't, for me. :)
There is the concept of "neurosis", which, in general, is a disturbance in one's thought patterns that causes fallacious and/or narrow perception of certain aspects of experience. Outside of any physical neurological issues that may cause problems, such disturbances are likely caused by events in one's life, especially those that cause significant fear, terror, or shame. Which, of course, sounds a lot like trauma.
Most therapists are trained to deal, in general, with all kinds of neuroses. And, as long as they working with patients for whom the neuroses are not significant in number or based upon significantly catastrophic or long-term abusive events, they have a chance to be successful. However, when the degree, intensity, and longevity of one or more negative events is significant enough, it causes changes to thought, perception, and even mental structure such that a whole different set of symptoms and issues arise -- which is what causes things like PTSD, DID, and other such profiles. These are specific and extreme conditions that require special approaches to be dealt with effectively.
In short, neuroses and PTSD can sometimes be caused by similar types of events and experiences, but the number, longevity, and intensity of those events and experiences largely determines whether PTSD or other related issues will develop.
For years, I saw generalist therapists, not knowing that there were any alternatives. It was only when I started seeing someone who had experience with trauma and trauma resolution techniques that I started to have any significant results. Different approaches work for different people, and it very much depends upon what your symptoms profile shows and your level of distress. Also, in some cases, multiple methods may be effective, but one might produce "good enough" results with less time and effort, another a deeper and more long-lasting result with significant time and struggle. There are choices that have to be made. The "good enough" approach simply wasn't, for me. :)
