Trauma is an emotional and physical response to an experience that feels frightening, harmful, overwhelming or impossible to cope with. Trauma can come from a single event (acute trauma), from repeated or ongoing experiences (chronic trauma), or from long term harm early in life or in close relationships (complex or developmental trauma). Some people recover with time and support, while others develop symptoms that affect emotions, sleep, relationships and the ability to feel safe long after the experience ends.
At Paramount Healthcare Services in Las Vegas, NV, Dr. Chidiogo Nwokike, DNP, PMHNP-BC, provides trauma informed psychiatric evaluation, individualized treatment planning, therapy services and medication management for children, teens and adults.
Trauma may follow one event, repeated experiences, or prolonged exposure to danger. Its effects depend on the person, circumstances, available support, and previous experiences.
Childhood neglect, physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, bullying, community violence, and an unsafe home environment can affect emotional regulation, trust, self-esteem, and later relationships.
Car accidents, serious injuries, medical procedures, sudden illness, natural disasters, workplace incidents, military experiences, and the unexpected death of a loved one may cause traumatic stress.
Trauma can also come from domestic violence, sexual assault, human trafficking, community or gun violence, bullying, discrimination, and religious or spiritual abuse. People in high stress jobs, such as police officers, firefighters, EMS crews, nurses, doctors and casino security staff, can experience repeated or vicarious trauma from what they see at work. Military service can bring combat trauma, military sexual trauma and moral injury.
In Southern Nevada, many people were also affected by the 1 October 2017 shooting, either directly or through family, friends and first responder work.
Trauma reactions may begin immediately or appear weeks, months, or years later. Symptoms can be temporary or persistent enough to require professional support.
Common signs include anxiety, sadness, anger, guilt, numbness, irritability, poor concentration, nightmares, sleep problems, headaches, muscle tension, a racing heart, sweating, or being easily startled.
A sound, smell, place, date, or situation may trigger distressing memories. Some people experience flashbacks, feel disconnected from their body, lose track of time, or feel that their surroundings are unreal.
When the brain senses danger, the nervous system switches into survival mode. These responses are protective in the moment but can get stuck long after the danger has passed:
Trauma can also show up in the body through headaches, stomach problems, muscle tension, fatigue and sleep problems, and some people cope through alcohol or substance use. Learn more about the signs of unresolved trauma in adults.
Ongoing trauma symptoms can affect work, school, parenting, relationships, decisions, and physical health. A person may avoid reminders, isolate from others, remain constantly alert, or use alcohol, substances, or unsafe behaviors to manage distress.
Trauma describes an experience and a person’s response to it. PTSD is a diagnosed mental health disorder involving patterns such as intrusive memories, avoidance, changes in mood or thinking, and heightened alertness. Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD.
Traumatic stress may occur with anxiety, depression, panic symptoms, acute stress disorder, sleep problems, substance use, self-harm, or PTSD. Because symptoms can overlap, an accurate mental health evaluation matters.
An evaluation may review symptoms, safety, sleep, daily functioning, medical history, substance use, previous treatment, and symptom duration. You should not be pressured to describe every detail before you feel ready. The goal is to understand your needs and develop an appropriate care plan.
Treatment is individualized according to symptoms, age, safety, personal preferences, and co-occurring mental health conditions.
Trauma focused therapy helps you identify triggers, process difficult memories safely, challenge unhelpful beliefs such as self blame, reduce avoidance and rebuild a sense of safety. Evidence based approaches include:
Good trauma care starts with stabilization and coping skills, so you never have to dive into painful memories before you feel ready. Through our therapy services and referral network, we help match you with the approach that fits your needs.
Coping strategies may include grounding and breathing techniques, mindfulness, healthy sleep routines, physical activity, limiting alcohol and support from trusted people. Medication does not erase trauma, but it can help manage related anxiety, depression, mood symptoms, nightmares and sleep problems when clinically appropriate. Options may include SSRIs or SNRIs and, for trauma related nightmares, prazosin.
The best therapist for trauma is a licensed mental health professional, such as a psychologist, licensed clinical social worker (LCSW), licensed clinical professional counselor (LCPC) or marriage and family therapist, with specific training in trauma focused methods like EMDR, CPT or PE. A psychiatric provider, such as a psychiatrist or psychiatric nurse practitioner, adds an important layer when symptoms include severe anxiety, depression, sleep problems or nightmares that may benefit from medication.
At Paramount, we provide the psychiatric side of trauma care and coordinate with therapy, so your treatment works as one plan. If your symptoms meet criteria for PTSD, see our PTSD treatment page for more detail.
Paramount Healthcare Services is located at 1705 S Eastern Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89104, and we see patients from across the Las Vegas Valley, including Henderson, Summerlin and North Las Vegas. Secure telehealth is available for patients in Nevada, which can feel easier when leaving home or sitting in a waiting room is hard. We accept Aetna, Cigna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Medicare and Medicaid, and offer affordable cash pay options.
Local resources can work alongside clinical care. Veterans can also connect with the VA Southern Nevada Healthcare System and the Las Vegas Vet Center, and survivors of mass violence or violent crime can reach the Resiliency and Justice Center for free support.
Seek professional help when symptoms persist, worsen, disrupt daily functioning, or lead to isolation, substance use, or self-harm. If you may harm yourself or someone else, cannot stay safe, or are in immediate danger, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room. You may also call or text 988 for crisis support.
Paramount Healthcare Services offers trauma informed psychiatric assessment, treatment planning and medication management for children, teens and adults in Las Vegas. Call +1 (702) 514-4057, email support@paramounthcslv.com or book online to schedule a confidential evaluation in person or by telehealth. You do not have to share every detail of what happened to get started.
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