A guide for Trauma Survivors and PTSD sufferers
In the face of trauma, recovery can feel overwhelming, and it's common to feel alone, lost, or even hopeless. Taking the step to seek therapy can be the beginning of a journey toward a more peaceful, balanced life. Whether you’re a trauma survivor, someone experiencing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or supporting a loved one, this post is here to guide you through the benefits of therapy and inspire you to begin your healing journey.
Understanding Trauma and PTSD
Trauma can come from many experiences—whether it’s a sudden loss, a serious accident, childhood abuse, or exposure to violence. Traumatic events are usually unexpected and highly distressing and leave us feeling out-of-control and overwhelmed which can be hard to navigate alone.
Post-trauma symptoms may not be present immediately after the event. Sometimes it takes several months or years for symptoms to appear. Its common to experience intrusive and recurring images or thoughts of the event(s), vivid nightmares, or flashbacks. You may feel always “on edge” and find it difficult to relax, concentrate, or make decisions, or feel something bad is about to happen again despite logically knowing you are now safe. You may feel stuck in feelings of horror, shame, disgust, sadness, fear, anger, depression, becoming overwhelmed by negative thoughts about yourself, other people, or the world. Sometimes you might feel like you're in a dream or that things no longer seem real. These symptoms can be so strong that they disrupt your ability to work or be present with friends and family.
The effects of trauma may seem to define who we are, but therapy can help us understand that while trauma is part of our story, it doesn’t have to control our future.
Trauma affects the entire human being — it shocks the brain, stuns the mind, and freezes the body. Following a traumatic event, it is natural to experience a wide range of unpleasant and alarming symptoms. PTSD is a condition that can develop after trauma, characterised by symptoms like flashbacks, nightmares, heightened anxiety, and difficulty functioning day-to-day. In PTSD the body continues to defend against a threat that belongs to the past. Healing from PTSD means being able to end this continued stress response and restoring the mind and body to safety.
How therapy helps Trauma Survivors
Nobody can “treat” a war, or abuse, rape, assault, or any other traumatic event, for what has happened cannot be undone. But what can be dealt with are the imprints of the trauma on body, mind, and soul: from the crushing anxiety or depression, the fear of losing control, always being on alert for danger or rejection, the self-loathing, nightmares, and flashbacks or the fog that keeps you from staying on task and from engaging fully in what you are doing.
Therapy creates a safe space where you can talk openly about your experiences, gain insight, and learn tools to manage symptoms. Working with a trauma-informed therapist to understand and process trauma can bring back a sense of control over the way that trauma clings onto your life.
Choosing to seek therapy is a powerful step toward reclaiming control over your life. Trauma therapy can help to:
Manage symptoms.
Improve overall emotional well-being.
Reduce the emotional charge of memories.
Retrain your body to work for you, not against you.
Learn healthy ways of coping.
Rebuild connections and find trust again.
Gain a new perspective on what happened to you and change what it means for you.
Learn how to talk about and explain your experiences to loved ones if you choose to.
Rediscover joy and purpose.
Learn how to end the pain in your life.
Regain a sense of safety and peace.
Move on and live your life, rather than just survive.
Therapy is a journey, not a quick fix
Healing from trauma is a deeply personal journey, and it's important to remember that progress is unique to each person. The pace may vary, and there will be ups and downs. But each step forward, no matter how small, is meaningful. I believe in resiliency (or post-traumatic growth) and can support you to understand yourself, develop new coping skills and help you achieve lasting, positive change in your life.
If you or someone you love is dealing with trauma or PTSD, know that there’s a path forward, and therapy can help you find it. Don’t hesitate to reach out to a trauma-focused therapist who can offer the guidance and support you need.
Begin today – your healing journey awaits.
Comentários