Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible and unfortunate event. The impact of trauma can have a profound effect on a survivor’s mental and emotional health. It can also cause distressing physical symptoms or strain their relationships. Healing from trauma takes time and sometimes you may be carrying unhealed trauma inside of you. It is important to be aware of your healing process and accept it. Unhealed trauma can manifest in a variety of ways, including physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. Recognizing and addressing them is important to getting you on the road to recovery.
Signs that you haven’t come out of your trauma
Signs that a person has not healed from their trauma include, but are not limited to:
- Feeling overwhelmed and suicidal thoughts: Feeling overwhelmed and suicidal thoughts can be a sign of untreated trauma. You may struggle with challenges and problems and find yourself alone and without hope. Such feelings can also worsen suicidal thoughts.
- Struggling with history: If you haven’t healed from your trauma, you may have trouble recalling past events or triggers that remind you of the traumatic event. While you shouldn’t rush to expose yourself to these triggers, it’s important to work on your inner healing so that triggers don’t increase symptoms of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, internalized anger, resentment, and other symptoms and negative behaviors.
- Low self-esteem: Although each traumatic event and experience can be unique, most of the time trauma lowers our self-esteem. Studies have shown that if you have PTSD, you are more likely to have very low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness.
- Seeing change as scary: Change is scary for most of us. However, for individuals struggling with a history of trauma, change can be 10 times more difficult. Trauma can affect your ability to trust others and experience life in a positive way. A high level of uncertainty and a lack of self-confidence and a sense of security can scare and overwhelm you even with small changes in your life.
Tips for dealing with untreated trauma
- Don’t isolate yourself: When dealing with trauma, you can feel like no one understands you and you may end up pushing your loved ones away. However, it is important to stay connected to people who love and care about you. Isolation can make your symptoms worse. On the other hand, communicating about your traumatic event can help in your recovery.
- See a professional therapist: It can be difficult to manage a traumatic event on your own, even if you have the full support of friends and family. It is best to seek out a mental health professional to help you heal safely and relatively smoothly.
- Avoid alcohol: You may be tempted to drink alcohol to relieve anxiety or to help you fall asleep. However, you may end up dependent on alcohol, which will only worsen your mental and physical health.
Signs you have anxiety and need to see a therapist
- Meditate: Sitting with your own thoughts can be difficult, but meditation can be a powerful tool for healing your mental scars from within. If your thoughts are overwhelming you, you can practice guided meditation under the supervision of an expert. Consult with your therapist about how to start with meditation according to your subjective case.
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Source: newstars.edu.vn