What Is Trauma And How Can You Overcome It?
Most people have a basic understanding of what trauma is. There's a good chance that this knowledge comes from what is depicted in the movies or television. It allows people to see what life is like for someone who has experienced something completely traumatizing.
Unfortunately, these depictions of the lived experience of trauma aren't entirely true to what it is like. It only paints a small portion of the overall picture.
What Is Trauma?
The clinical name for trauma is post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It is generally defined as a response to a highly emotional or distressing experience. Most often, PTSD is associated with soldiers and veterans who experienced war. While that is a classic example, that is not the only situation to cause trauma. Traumatic experiences can also include:
Domestic, emotional, or sexual abuse
Childhood abuse/neglect
Car accidents
Loss of a loved one
Witnessing a crime or being the victim of one
There are different classifications of trauma. For instance, singular events, such as a car accident or being the victim of a crime, are considered acute trauma. Meaning it only happened once. However, other situations, such as abuse of any kind, are considered to be chronic or complex (C-PTSD).
Signs of Trauma
When someone has PTSD, they often suffer in silence through it. While there might be outward signs of trauma, that doesn't mean it's easily recognizable as a trauma symptom. Knowing the signs & symptoms of trauma is an important first step to healing from trauma.
Not every single person will experience all symptoms of trauma and will often have any combination of the following list:
Sadness
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Fatigue
Anxiety
Insomnia
Irritability
Avoidance of any situation, place, or person that is similar to the traumatic experience.
Dissociation
Numbness
Memory loss
Feelings of guilt
Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
Headaches
Digestive issues
Difficulty focusing
Engagement in risky behaviors
Healing From Trauma Is Possible
First, let's get one thing out of the way. The amount of time that has passed has no impact on healing from trauma. It may have happened last month, year, or decades ago. Anyone can heal from trauma. Second, you can recover from trauma, regardless of what happened.
Most assume that trauma only applies to huge life events that alter somebody entirely. That isn't the case at all. Remember that trauma is only defined as being a response to emotional and distressing events. That's it. Any situation or event, no matter how big or small, could be considered traumatic if it impacts someone deeply.
Recognize The Signs
The first step to healing from trauma is recognizing the signs and symptoms. You don't have to immediately relate what you are experiencing due to your trauma. What are all the negative things you are experiencing that impact your daily life somehow?
It might be helpful for you to write down the signs and symptoms you are experiencing. This way, when you are ready to seek help, you will have an easier time relaying this information without worrying about recalling it all.
Try Not To Avoid It
Most people try to push the things they went through out of their minds. However, "out of sight, out of mind" does not apply to everything in life, especially mental health concerns. It might seem easier to not think about something and to avoid it at all costs. While this might provide surface-level relief, your body and mind still remember the traumatic experience.
Avoidance, in the long run, only prolongs the healing process from beginning.
Seek Support
You went through something traumatizing. There is no shame in admitting that. Your life was impacted by something that altered it in every way possible. When you are ready, don't hesitate to reach out for support. I am here for you when you are ready to begin the process of healing through trauma therapy.
