The Cambridge dictionary defines trauma as “severe emotional shock and pain caused by an extremely upsetting experience.” Trauma is more than the sum of its parts and anyone who has ever survived trauma knows that it can feel debilitating. Moreover, it can cause or worsen psychiatric symptoms. Along with therapy and a management plan, there are things you can do to help yourself through the process of healing:
- Take space and hold your space. Trauma can make it feel like all control is lost. Before making major changes or taking advice from your spouse, family, friends or mental health care professional, listen to your instinctual wisdom. Weigh out what is best for you. It is of utmost importance to own and preserve your own needs.
- Tell your story. Trauma can make it feel as through silence is the only way to move forward. Advice such as “just move on,” or “let it go,” may be well-intentioned, but it does not address the seriousness of what happened to you. In order to heal, tell your story to those you feel comfortable and who give you grounding, support and perspective. Writing about your feelings and experiences can also a help to process.
- Build trust and community. Trauma can make isolation or mistrust of all people seem like the only solution to self-protection or self-preservation. While forcing yourself into social situations is not recommended, opening up and making time and space for building trust in close relationship is. Maintaining trusting relationships creates momentum around protecting yourself.
- Seek professional support. Seek counseling can be a positive force for re-grounding and reflecting on personal needs for healing. Support groups are also a good way to meet new people and find connection.
- Create a wellness plan. Identifying personal needs for staying well and working through trauma symptoms is key to healing. Having a balanced schedule, with supports in place can make what seems unmanageable have direction, which, in time, will help you move forward with a sense of direction.