Whether it’s abuse, neglect, violence, loss, an accident, or a natural disaster, traumatic experiences have deep, lasting effects on an individual’s emotional well-being. If you’re experiencing lingering memories and feelings of fear, anxiety, or detachment following a traumatic event, you may have a trauma- or stressor-related disorder. Riverside Psychology provides therapy for trauma and stressor-related disorders in Fairfield, Connecticut, to offer a path to healing.
Understanding Stressor-Related Disorders
While post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the most frequently discussed trauma-related condition, there are several other disorders tied to stress and trauma. These include:
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)
While PTSD often stems from a single traumatic event, C-PTSD is associated with prolonged exposure to trauma. C-PTSD can affect the way a person relates to others, experiences emotions, and views themselves. People may have flashbacks, feelings of self-doubt, or carry a sense of guilt. Therapy offers a compassionate space to begin understanding these patterns.
Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
Generally rooted in early childhood neglect or inconsistent caregiving, RAD can make it difficult for individuals to form healthy emotional connections with others. Early attachment wounds can evolve into trust issues, fear of intimacy, and difficulty regulating emotions. Therapy for RAD focuses on creating a sense of emotional safety and building secure relational patterns.
Acute Stress Disorder (ASD)
This condition occurs in the weeks following a traumatic experience. Symptoms can include intense anxiety, dissociation, and intrusive thoughts. People with ASD often feel like they are reliving the trauma, even when they know they are safe. They may also experience emotional numbing or difficulty concentrating. Early intervention through trauma-informed therapy can help ease symptoms and reduce the likelihood of long-term effects.
Adjustment Disorder
Significant life changes, such as relocation, divorce, or job loss, can cause emotional or behavioral challenges as a person adjusts to a new routine or environment. Adjustment disorders often involve sadness, worry, or feelings of overwhelm. Therapy can offer tools for coping, rebuilding confidence, and regaining a sense of control during transitions.
Disinhibited Social Engagement Disorder (DSED)
DSED is often linked to childhood neglect. Individuals with this condition tend to have poor social boundaries and engage in overly familiar interactions with strangers. This can show up as impulsive behavior, a lack of caution around unfamiliar people, and difficulty recognizing unsafe situations. Therapeutic work for DSED focuses on building emotional awareness, fostering healthy relational boundaries, and helping individuals understand the difference between connection and overexposure.
Prolonged Grief Disorder
Those with prolonged grief disorder experience persistent, debilitating grief following the death of a loved one (at least 12 months for adults and six months for children). Individuals may experience feelings of emptiness, intense yearning, or a sense that moving forward would dishonor the person they’ve lost. Therapy offers a gentle space to process these emotions, honor the relationship, and begin to reconnect with life in a way that still holds space for love and remembrance.
Signs and Symptoms of Trauma-Related Disorders
Recognizing the signs of these disorders is an important first step toward seeking support. Some common symptoms include:
Distressing flashbacks, nightmares, or intrusive memories
Persistent fear, anxiety, or irritability
Difficulty trusting others
Feelings of helplessness
Emotional numbness
Avoidance of people, places, or situations tied to the trauma
Withdrawal from emotional or physical intimacy
Other signs may be harder to identify. You might react strongly to everyday stressors, have memory gaps, or feel disconnected from your body or surroundings. These are valid and recognizable responses to trauma. The good news is that therapy at Riverside Psychology can provide a safe path toward healing.
How Therapy Can Help
Healing from trauma requires intentional care and guidance. At Riverside Psychology, our empathetic therapists offer a supportive, non-judgmental space where you can explore your emotions and experiences at your own pace. We incorporate evidence-based approaches such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practices to help you process trauma and reestablish a sense of safety in your life. Our goal is to empower you and help you move toward emotional clarity and personal growth.
We also draw on trauma-informed care principles, which prioritize collaboration, trust, and safety throughout your therapeutic experience. You’ll never be pushed to share more than you’re ready to. Instead, we meet you where you are and walk beside you.
Begin Your Journey to Healing
Riverside Psychology offers compassionate therapy for trauma and stressor-related disorders in Fairfield, CT, and we’re here to support you every step of the way. Reach out today for a free consultation and ask about our virtual therapy options for added convenience.