Trauma:
Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event. It’s something that can stay with you for a long time, and it can feel really overwhelming for the person to manage. Trauma can manifest in many different ways. It might show up as physical symptoms, like pain or nausea or it might be emotional, like anxiety, severe fear, or depression. It can even show up as behavioral problems, such as self-harming, drug or alcohol use, physical aggression, or violence.
Trauma can really disrupt your life. After a traumatic experience there might be the initial shock and denial. Long term experiences include flashbacks, nightmares, strained relationships, or difficulty forming attachments, feeling unsafe/helpless, difficulties with self-regulation, and anxiety or depressive symptoms, to name a few. It is important to get seek support if you think you might be dealing with it. Continue reading as we talk more about trauma, healing, and resources.
What Causes Trauma
Trauma is caused by a variety of things, but the most common is physical or emotional abuse. It could also be a car accident, a natural disaster, being chased by a dog, or even something as simple as a fall.
No matter the cause, the effects can be devastating because the aftermath is always the same: pain, fear, and confusion. It can take a while to process what happened and to start to heal from the experience. It’s important to know that no matter what caused the trauma, there are ways to cope and get support. Talking to a therapist or joining a support group can help you work through the pain, fear, and confusion. It can also be helpful to find ways to practice self-care, like taking a walk, doing yoga, or spending time with friends. Remember, you are not alone and it’s okay to ask for help.
The Effect of Trauma
Understanding and acknowledging the reality of trauma and its effects is so important. It can be difficult to come to terms with the fact that trauma is embedded in our bodies, and that it may never fully go away.
Trauma can manifest in many ways: through chronic pain, migraines, anxiety, depression, addiction, and even autoimmune diseases. It’s like a dark presence that follows you around, always there, lurking in the shadows. Sometimes it’s so loud you can’t hear anything else.
However, there are many ways that we can work to reduce the effects of trauma and cope with its presence in our lives. In addition to seeking professional help, self-care activities and practices such as yoga, meditation, journaling, and spending time in nature can all be beneficial. It may also be helpful to connect with others who have experienced similar traumas, as shared understanding and support can be hugely beneficial.
How to Heal
Imagine for a moment that your body is a map. A map of all the places where trauma has taken up residence. Now, imagine a world where your trauma is healed, and the darkness and pain that it has caused is replaced with light, love, and healing. Now envision a place where you can feel safe and secure, and where you can look at the wounds of your past with compassion and understanding. Also imagine a world where you can share your story of healing and be surrounded by love and support as you journey through this process. Believe in the power of love and healing, and use this power to bring light and healing to every dark corner of your life.
This is the power of trauma healing. To go into the places where we have been hurt and wounded, and to offer compassion and understanding. To bring a light into the darkness that can never be extinguished.
Trauma lives in our bodies long after the initial event has passed. But with patience and dedication, we can bring healing to those places and finally allow ourselves to be free. It’s true that trauma can be a difficult and heavy burden to carry, but there is hope and it is possible to heal. It may take time and patience, but by practicing self-care and having the right support system, we can find the strength and courage to move forward. Learning to accept ourselves and our circumstances can be an important step in the healing process. It takes dedication and hard work, but it is possible to find peace and reclaim our power.
Resources for Healing Your Trauma
Trauma can be debilitating, and it’s important to have resources available to help you heal. Here are a few options:
1. EMDR: Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing is a type of therapy that helps you process trauma. It’s based on the idea that traumatic memories are fragmented, and that by creating new neural pathways (stimulating both sides of the brain), traumatic memories would de-intensify, become more manageable. EMDR has shown to be a valuable alternative (or complement) to conventional talk therapy. To be effective the client has to be present in a conscious state in order to process their trauma.
2. Yoga: Yoga is a great way to connect with your body and release tension. As you may know, yoga is an ancient practice that has been used for centuries to help people relax, reduce stress, and improve their overall wellbeing. It has been found to be especially beneficial for those who have experienced trauma, as it can help to reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD. There are many different types of yoga, so it is important to find one that best suits your needs and abilities. It is also important to find an experienced and compassionate instructor who can help create a safe and supportive environment. The practice can be helpful in healing physical and emotional trauma.
3. Meditation: Meditation is a great way to cope with trauma. It can help calm the mind and body, allowing you to focus on the present moment and move away from the stressful thoughts and emotions associated with trauma. It can also help to reduce stress and anxiety levels and create a sense of inner peace. There are many different types of meditation techniques, including mindfulness meditation, guided meditation, and visualization. It may take some practice to find the technique that works best for you, but with patience and dedication, you can find relief and healing from trauma through meditation.
4. Counseling: Talking to a counselor can be an important step in working through traumatic experiences. A counselor can be a great source of support and guidance when you are dealing with trauma. They can help you process your emotions, develop healthy coping strategies, and provide a safe space to discuss your experiences. There are many counseling services available, so take the time to find one that is right for you. You deserve to have someone who can provide you with the support and understanding you need to heal.
5. Animals: Cats and dogs have been known to be helpful in healing trauma. Studies have found that interacting with cats/dogs can help reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. Being around cats/dogs has been shown to reduce blood pressure and heart rate, which can help those struggling with PTSD or other trauma-related issues. Additionally, cats/dogs are often seen as non-judgmental and comforting, which can help people feel safer and more secure in healing from their trauma. Ultimately, cats/dogs can be a great source of comfort and support for those dealing with trauma.
Conclusion
Trauma is an emotional or psychological injury caused by a traumatic event or experience. It can be caused by physical, emotional, or psychological stress, such as physical or sexual abuse, war, natural disasters, or accidents. It might be lodged in our memories, or living in our dreams. Trauma can lead to a wide range of psychological and physical symptoms, such as depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks, and physical pain.
Trauma can make you feel like you are alone in the world; as if you are the only one who have ever felt that way.
But you’re not alone.
Trauma lives in all of us. The good news is that we can learn to live with it. It’s important to remember that healing and moving on is a journey, one that can take time and patience. To help, here are a few coping strategies that can make it easier: 1) practicing self-care, 2) reaching out to supportive friends and family, 3) engaging in calming activities like yoga or meditation, and 4) seeking professional help if needed. Keep in mind that you are not alone and there are resources available to help you cope and heal.
If you’re struggling with a traumatic or disturbing memory, experience, or event, know that you are not alone. There are people who care about you, and there are people who want to help. Don’t be afraid to reach out for support.
It is important to seek help from a qualified professional if you are experiencing any of the above symptoms. You deserve it.
