Treatment for Trauma and Abuse in Adults

Author:

Emma Loker

B.S

Editor:

Ashley Pena

LCSW

70% of us across the world are traumatized in our lifetime.¹ Something happens – it could be a car accident, physical violence, or even an earthquake – and in that moment, our lives change.

When we experience trauma and abuse, we’re terrified. Often, we’re scared for our (or someone else’s) life, and because of this, we experience a range of emotions that feel impossible to process, let alone control.

If you’ve ever experienced trauma or abuse, you’ll know that it’s not easy coming back from the experience. Some people describe it as a part of them being left at the site of the incident – frozen in time.

And while trauma and abuse can have a profound impact on our emotional and physical well-being after the fact, there are treatment options available to help us heal. To help you get answered for yourself or someone you love, this page will cover:

What is trauma and abuse?
Signs and symptoms of trauma and abuse
Causes of trauma and abuse in adults
Treatment options for trauma and abuse in adults, such as:
- Cognitive Behavioral Therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy
- Psychodynamic Therapy
- Group Therapy

What Is Trauma and Abuse?

Trauma and abuse are often used interchangeably. But are they the same thing? In short: no. Many people assume they’re the same as there is some crossover. For instance, abuse can be traumatizing. However, not everyone who experiences abuse will also have trauma symptoms.²

“Trauma” is our emotional response to a terrifying, stressful, or shocking event. For example, a crime, accident, or natural disaster. When these events bring about feelings that are hard or feel impossible to control, we call it trauma.

“Abuse,” on the other hand, refers to any act that violates someone’s rights and safety. This can include sex, physical, emotional, or psychological mistreatment.³

In cases when abuse and trauma coincide, such as when someone experiences sexual abuse, it can lead to a mental health condition called PTSD. PTSD develops in response to frightening events that threaten a person’s life or health. Someone can also struggle with PTSD if the threat was to someone they care about, like a child or loved one.³

Types of Trauma and Abuse

Let’s explore some of the main forms of trauma and abuse:

Childhood Trauma: Any event that leaves us fearing our life or physical well-being as a child. This could include witnessing domestic violence, losing a loved one, bullying, community violence, neglect, and so on.
Domestic Abuse: An incident or series of incidents within a couple that involve coercion, control, threats, or violent behavior.
Psychological Trauma: Situations where someone frightens or manipulates another, and in the process alters their self-esteem and world view.
Sexual Abuse: Any behavior of a sexual nature that is unwanted or nonconsensual. Sexual abuse can be verbal, online, or psychological, as well as physical.
Physical Abuse: Any intentional act to harm or traumatize another person or animal, such as hitting, punching, kicking, slapping, or restraining.
Financial Abuse: Abuse which involves having money or assets stolen, such as a person’s belongings, being put under pressure to make certain financial decisions, or being defrauded.

Signs and Symptoms of Trauma and Abuse in Adults

Trauma and abuse are umbrella terms, covering many different forms of distressing events, such as those we spoke about in the previous section. Due to this, the signs and symptoms will differ drastically. Nevertheless, here are some of the general signs of trauma, abuse, and PTSD you’ll likely see in many people who have experienced such events.

Signs of Trauma and Abuse^2,5

Self-injury
Depression
Heart problems
Fearful behavior
Eating disorders
Suicidal behavior
Digestive problems
Intense anxiety or stress
Always feeling tired or lethargic
General pain or psychosomatic symptoms

Signs of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder⁴

Flashbacks
Nightmares
Outbursts of anger
Chronically low mood
Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia
Intrusive thoughts related to the event
Avoiding reminders of the traumatic event
Negative feelings toward yourself and the world

But just as a reminder, the signs differ depending on the form of trauma or abuse a person has suffered. To find out the specific signs for each form, check out our specific pages on childhood trauma, domestic abuse, emotional abuse, psychological trauma, sexual abuse, and physical abuse.

Causes of Anger Issues

The causes of trauma can be one-off or ongoing events (also known as complex trauma). We’ll explore each in turn:

Trauma From One-Off Events

Natural disasters, such as floods, wildfires, hurricanes, earthquakes, or tsunamis.
Accidents, like a car crash, airplane accident, or a fall
Witnessing violence, for example seeing someone become seriously injured
Acts of terrorism, like a bombing or attack
Violent assaults, such as a mugging, sexual assault, or physical attack
Medical emergencies, like complications during childbirth or a life-threatening health crisis
House fire, leading to destruction of property or risk to list
Loss of a loved one, for example, a sudden death

Trauma From Ongoing Events

Financial insecurity or poverty, making it difficult to cater to your own (or your family’s) basic needs
Bullying or harassment at home, work, school, or online
Chronic abuse of any form, such as sexual, physical, or emotional
Long-term illness that results in significant changes to daily life
Living in a war zone with long-term exposure to bombings or conflict
Domestic violence, meaning living in an environment where you fear for your (and other people’s) safety

Both forms of trauma have a big impact on a person’s life. However, trauma from ongoing events can lead to more long-term implications, such as difficulties regulating your nervous system and significant changes to behavior, relationships, and self-view.6 Nevertheless, both forms of trauma can alter a person’s life and their mental well-being.

Trauma and Abuse and Other Mental Health Difficulties

While it’s impossible to say whether trauma and abuse cause other mental health difficulties, research suggests that these events can play a big role in developing certain conditions later on in life – this is particularly the case if the trauma or abuse was experienced in childhood.

The following mental health difficulties have been linked to trauma and abuse:

Antisocial Personality Disorder: Studies show that abuse is associated with reduced volume in certain brain areas (medial and lateral prefrontal and temporal lobes) related to antisocial behavior symptoms.⁷
Generalized Anxiety Disorder: Research also shows that areas of the brain related to generalized anxiety disorder, such as the middle temporal gyrus, aren’t as thick for those who have experienced abuse.⁷
ADHD: Abuse during childhood is supposedly linked to challenging behaviors in teens, as well as ADHD.⁸
Oppositional Defiant Disorder: Abuse during childhood also appears to be linked to antisocial behaviors, criminal activity, and oppositional defiant disorder.⁸
Depression: Research shows that, alongside heightened challenging behaviors, children who have experienced abuse often direct their difficult feelings inward, which increases their risk of depression.²
Suicidal Thoughts: Those who have had traumatic experiences such as sexual assault are more likely to struggle with self-injury and suicidal thoughts.²
Eating Disorders: Another potential long-term consequence of abuse or trauma is the development of disordered eating.²

Due to the impact abuse may have on mental and physical health, seeking professional support is vital. Below, we explore the treatment options available.

Treatment Options for Trauma and Abuse in Adults

If you have experienced trauma and abuse and it’s affecting your life as an adult, you’re not alone. Many people struggle with the after-effects of trauma, and there’s no shame in needing support with this. In fact, trauma is one of the most common reasons why people reach out for support from the team at Mission Connection.

Here are the main treatment options available for trauma and abuse in adults:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT addresses the thoughts and behaviors that often come hand-in-hand with trauma. It helps people identify and challenge the negative and unhealthy beliefs that have surfaced due to their traumatic experiences. Behavioral exercises, such as thought exercises or carefully managed exposure to trauma-related reminders, can help reduce a person’s trauma symptoms.⁹

Eye Movement Desensitization Therapy (EMDR)

Research also supports EMDR as an effective treatment approach for trauma and abuse in adults. EMDR centers around processing traumatic memories through specific eye movements. The person is asked to recall distressing memories while doing certain eye movements, a process that is believed to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories.¹⁰

Trauma-Focused Psychodynamic Therapy

Trauma-focused therapy has also shown to be highly effective for some adults struggling with the after-effects of trauma and abuse. However, the research suggests that it may not be as beneficial as CBT for some people.⁹

Group Therapy

Hearing similar stories from others in group therapy can make a big difference to trauma survivors, as it can help people feel less alone. The shared understanding that forms between group members can build trust within the group, which creates a safe space to be vulnerable and open.¹¹

It’s important to choose the approach that’s right for you. If you need guidance on the best treatment option for you, the team at Mission Connection is happy to help. We can offer a fully personalized treatment program that’s tailored to your needs, lifestyle, and budget.

Reach out to us today for support.

Living With Trauma and Abuse as an Adult

We always recommend therapeutic support for adults struggling with trauma and abuse. However, you can make choices and changes to your life to go alongside your therapy, supporting you and aiding your recovery.

Here are three key steps you can take to support yourself:

1. Build a Strong Social Network¹²

Your first instinct after experiencing trauma or abuse may be to close in on yourself and withdraw. However, the people you have around you can act like your anchors, supporting you and encouraging you throughout your recovery.

Research shows that having a strong social network post-trauma can help build your self-compassion, which in turn can reduce the impact of the after-effects of trauma. Social support also eases symptoms of many of the mental health conditions associated with trauma, such as anxiety and depression.

2. Take Care of Yourself¹³

When you experience trauma and abuse, it can feel like a piece of you is left behind. It’s common to question everything after an event shakes your world like this – you question yourself, your worldview, and those around you. Now, more than ever, it’s important to pack self-care strategies into your weekly routine.

Self-care strategies like taking care of your well-being through healthy sleep habits, regular exercise, and hobbies you enjoy can help you heal after your trauma.2

3. Practice Mindfulness¹⁴

Research shows that mindfulness-based practices such as yoga and meditation can be extremely beneficial for those who have experienced trauma. In fact, it doesn’t appear to matter what mental health condition you have, mindfulness is still effective.

The key when it comes to practicing mindfulness is consistency. If you integrate mindfulness into your routine for 8 consecutive weeks and beyond, you’ll likely see a significant positive change in how your trauma affects you.

Seek Support for Abuse and Trauma Today

One minute you’re fine, and the next: you’ve had an unthinkable experience that’s turned your world upside down. This is how it can feel after a traumatic event or if you experience abuse.

If this is you or someone you love, know that it’s okay not to have all the answers right now. The very nature of trauma and abuse pushes us into emotions that are outside of what we feel we can control or even bear.

Fortunately, you don’t need to have all of the answers – that’s what mental health experts are for. At Mission Connection, we have a team of compassionate, highly trained mental health clinicians who are ready to help you on your journey toward healing.

With a range of therapy approaches and treatment options to suit you (including in-person and telehealth therapy options), we will meet you where you’re at. Get in touch with us today at 866-814-2263. We’re here to help.

References

1. World Health Organization. (2024, May 27). Post-traumatic stress disorder. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/post-traumatic-stress-disorder#:~:text=Around%2070%25%20of%20people%20globally,following%20sexual%20violence%20(1).

2. Office on Women’s Health. (2021). Abuse, trauma, and mental health. https://womenshealth.gov/mental-health/abuse-trauma-and-mental-health

3. Brunton, R. (2023). Child abuse: Definitions, prevalence, and considerations in assessment. In Perinatal care and considerations for survivors of child abuse (pp. 7–27). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-37512-3_2

4. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2014). Trauma-informed care in behavioral health services (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 57). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma14-4816.pdf

5. Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. (2014). Understanding the impact of trauma. In Trauma-informed care in behavioral health services (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 57). Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). https://store.samhsa.gov/sites/default/files/d7/priv/sma14-4816.pdf

6. Lawson, D. M., Davis, D., & Brandon, S. (2013). Treating complex trauma: Critical interventions with adults who experienced ongoing trauma in childhood. Psychotherapy, 50(3), 331–335. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0032677

7. Busso, D. S., McLaughlin, K. A., Brueck, S., Peverill, M., Gold, A. L., & Sheridan, M. A. (2017). Child abuse, neural structure, and adolescent psychopathology: A longitudinal study. Journal of the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, 56(4), 321-328.e1. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaac.2017.01.013

8. Jaffee, S. R. (2017). Child maltreatment and risk for psychopathology in childhood and adulthood. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 13, 525-551. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-032816-045005

9. Stein, M. B., & Norman, S. (2024). Posttraumatic stress disorder in adults: Psychotherapy and psychosocial interventions. In P. P. Roy-Byrne & M. Friedman (Eds.), UpToDate. Retrieved January 2025, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/posttraumatic-stress-disorder-in-adults-psychotherapy-and-psychosocial-interventions

10. Paintain, E., & Cassidy, S. (2018). First-line therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: A systematic review of cognitive behavioural therapy and psychodynamic approaches. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research, 18(3), 237–250. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12174

11. Chouliara, Z., Karatzias, T., & Draucker, C. B. (2017). Therapeutic change in group therapy for interpersonal trauma: A relational framework for research and clinical practice. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 35(15-16). https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517696860

12. Maheux, A., & Price, M. (2016). The indirect effect of social support on post-trauma psychopathology via self-compassion. Personality and Individual Differences, 88, 102-107. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.08.051

13. Slade, M., Rennick-Egglestone, S., Blackie, L., Llewellyn-Beardsley, J., Franklin, D., Hui, A., Thornicroft, G., McGranahan, R., Pollock, K., Priebe, S., Ramsay, A., Roe, D., & Deakin, E. (2019). Post-traumatic growth in mental health recovery: Qualitative study of narratives. BMJ Open, 9(6), e029342. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2019-029342

14. Taylor, J., McLean, L., Korner, A., Stratton, E., & Glozier, N. (2020). Mindfulness and yoga for psychological trauma: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 21(5), 536–573. https://doi.org/10.1080/15299732.2020.1760167