Trauma Tourette's

I was once working with a child who was also seeing a psychiatrist.  Like many children with whom I work this child had numerous diagnoses:  ADHD, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder and Intermittent Explosive Disorder.  However, when the mother would describe the child's behavior I would instantly think "trauma".  I kept saying this to her, but she was swayed by the authority of the doctor and maintained his belief the child was mentally ill.  Until her child told her he had been sexually and physically abused.

Then it all made sense.  The emotional breakdowns, the nightmares, the hair trigger responses, the rages, the mood swings, the inability to sit still.  This mother had a wonderful sense of humor.  In hindsight she said I had "Trauma Tourette's" because I kept saying, "trauma", "trauma", "trauma", "trauma" when everyone else was saying, "Bipolar Disorder", "ADHD", "Panic Disorder", etc.  Once the trauma was stopped and treated the other "diagnoses" frittered away.

Because I specialize in treating trauma I do tend to see it everywhere.  But I also think it is a hundred times more prevalent in our society than we want to admit.  If you or a loved one are being treated for a myriad of other mental health issues without success you might want to consider examining your life for trauma.  If need be, seek out a therapist who specializes in trauma to be screened for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).  Treating trauma requires long term therapy, but it garners long term, permanent results.  You can experience reductions in and sometimes complete elimination of symptoms to the point medications are no longer required.  It's hard work, but it does work, and that's the good news.