monique@modernchangenc.com | 919-576-0084
  • Behance
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
Make an Appointment: monique@modernchangenc.com | 919-576-0084
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Alexa
    • Meet Catriona
    • Meet Danielle
    • Meet Jordan
    • Meet Luisa
    • Meet Monique
    • Meet Padma
    • Meet Rebecca
    • Updated COVID-19 Response for Therapy
    • Employment at Modern Change
  • Services
    • Adolescents and Teens
    • Brainspotting
      • What To Expect in a Brainspotting Therapy Session
    • Family Counseling
    • Individual Therapy
      • Counseling for Anxiety
      • Help for Friends & Family of Addicts
      • Trauma Therapy
      • Mindfulness-Based Therapy
      • Therapy for Depression
    • LGBT Affirming Therapy
    • Life Changes & Transitions
      • Counseling for New Mothers
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Relationships
      • PreMarital Counseling
    • Substance Use Help
    • Clinical Supervision
    • Teletherapy
  • Getting Started
    • Client Portal
    • Modern Change Therapy FAQs
    • Practice Policies & Privacy Information
    • Rates and Insurance
  • Resources
    • FREE Tips and Tools
    • Books
    • Mental Health Links
    • NC Hopeline
    • Physical Health Links
    • Treatment Search
    • Video Resources
  • Contact
  • Blog
logo

P: 919-576-0084 | F: 919-797-9922 monique@modernchangenc.com

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
Close menu
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Meet Alexa
    • Meet Catriona
    • Meet Danielle
    • Meet Jordan
    • Meet Luisa
    • Meet Monique
    • Meet Padma
    • Meet Rebecca
    • Updated COVID-19 Response for Therapy
    • Employment at Modern Change
  • Services
    • Adolescents and Teens
    • Brainspotting
      • What To Expect in a Brainspotting Therapy Session
    • Family Counseling
    • Individual Therapy
      • Counseling for Anxiety
      • Help for Friends & Family of Addicts
      • Trauma Therapy
      • Mindfulness-Based Therapy
      • Therapy for Depression
    • LGBT Affirming Therapy
    • Life Changes & Transitions
      • Counseling for New Mothers
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
    • Relationships
      • PreMarital Counseling
    • Substance Use Help
    • Clinical Supervision
    • Teletherapy
  • Getting Started
    • Client Portal
    • Modern Change Therapy FAQs
    • Practice Policies & Privacy Information
    • Rates and Insurance
  • Resources
    • FREE Tips and Tools
    • Books
    • Mental Health Links
    • NC Hopeline
    • Physical Health Links
    • Treatment Search
    • Video Resources
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
919-576-0084

monique@modernchangenc.com

Change is possible. Find out how. Schedule your first session.

Change Starts Here

How Meditation Can Help Manage Symptoms of Trauma

February 23, 2020 by Monique Porter

meditation for symptoms of trauma Durham, NC 27707

Meditation offers practitioners powerful benefits, yet many people are confused as to what exactly those benefits are.  One of these benefits can include providing relief from symptoms of trauma and other mental health concerns.  In a nutshell, meditation focuses attention in a deliberate manner, taking you from a state of noisy mental chatter to calm and quiet inner peace. And isn’t that something most of us could use?

While meditation has been practiced for thousands of years in the east and – more recently – west as a way to grow spiritually, modern medicine is now finally extolling the numerous health benefits that meditation offers.

Meditation has the ability to reduce stress hormones by calming the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems. These systems are what activate our main panic responses (“fight,” “flight,” “freeze,” or “friend”) to stressful situations. Because of this, meditation can be a wonderful coping strategy for those suffering with trauma.

Is Meditation Better than Medication?

Historically, people battling post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) have been given medication to help alleviate unwanted and unpleasant symptoms of trauma. But a new study has found that regular practice of meditation enables some active duty service members battling PTSD to reduce, or even eliminate their need of psychotropic medications and to better control their often-debilitating symptoms. In other words, meditation, when practiced regularly, can be a way to alleviate some of the symptoms of trauma.

How Meditation can Alleviate Symptoms of Trauma

This is great news for service men and women, and anyone who is battling PTSD and suffering with symptoms of trauma. Not only can meditation help to calm your nerves and rewire your brain, it can also reduce the risk of developing negative side effects to many psychotropic medications used to treat PTSD and anxiety disorders. Beyond memory loss and erectile dysfunction, one of the biggest side effects of these medications is depression. That’s the last thing a person suffering from PTSD needs.

How to Begin a Meditation Practice

If you are suffering from the effects of trauma and would like to try meditation, here are some steps you can take to get started:

Find a Group Practice

If you’re completely new to meditation, you may want to join a group meditation course that meets every week. You can usually find groups in your local area through online communities such as Meetup.com.

Be Open Minded

Meditation has long been associated with new age movements. But you would be amazed at the different kinds of people that now practice meditation. If you tend to be a skeptical person, try to have an open mind as you begin your practice.

Be Patient

It’s called a practice for a reason. You won’t “get” meditation overnight. You’ll have to keep at it before it becomes natural for you and you really reap the benefits. Try to have patience and just keep at it.

Try Guided Practice Videos

There are so many great videos on youtube.  These are great for beginners who don’t know where they might start with a meditation practice.  Check out this 20-minute guided meditation on youtube:

If you or a loved one are suffering from trauma symptoms and would like to speak with someone who can help, please get in touch with me. I’d be happy to discuss the treatment options that would work best for you. Meditation can be implemented into therapy sessions and deep mindfulness is a part of brainspotting therapy.  Contact me today to learn more about how I can help you alleviate your trauma symptoms and more.


Sources:

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201601/meditation-reduces-post-traumatic-stress-disorder-symptoms

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/the-athletes-way/201306/how-does-meditation-reduce-anxiety-neural-level

https://psychcentral.com/news/2018/01/13/transcendental-meditation-shown-to-ease-veterans-ptsd/131167.html

Modern Change offers innovative trauma therapy in Durham, NC.

Contact Today

Sign up to get blog posts straight to your inbox:

* indicates required



Filed Under: meditation, Religion / Spirituality, Trauma / PTSD Tagged With: meditation, psychotherapy, trauma, traumatherapist, traumatherapy

5316 Highgate Dr. Suite 221
Durham, NC 27713

P: 919-576-0084
F: 919-797-9922
monique@modernchangenc.com

By submitting this form via this web portal, you acknowledge and accept the risks of communicating your health information via this unencrypted email and electronic messaging and wish to continue despite those risks. By clicking "Yes, I want to submit this form" you agree to hold Brighter Vision harmless for unauthorized use, disclosure, or access of your protected health information sent via this electronic means.

Ready to Book?

Schedule your appointment today through my online portal.

*Please note a credit card is required to secure your appointment slot.

Office Hours

Monday – Thursday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Weekend: By Appointment

Proud Member of TherapyDen

Contact Information

5316 Highgate Dr. Suite 221
Durham, NC 27713

P: 919-576-0084
F: 919-797-9922
monique@modernchangenc.com

Privacy Policy


A Therapist Website by Brighter Vision