Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible and unfortunate event. The impact of trauma can deeply impact the 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 might be carrying unhealed trauma inside you. It is important to be aware of your healing process and accept it.
Unhealed trauma can manifest itself in various ways, including physical, mental, and emotional symptoms. Recognizing and addressing them is important to tread on the road to recovery.
Signs you are not out of your trauma
Signs that a person has not healed from their trauma includes but is not limited to:
Feeling overwhelmed and having suicidal thoughts: Feeling overwhelmed and having suicidal thoughts can be a sign of unhealed trauma. You may struggle to deal with challenges and problems, and find yourselves alone and hopeless. Such feelings can also exacerbate suicidal thoughts.Struggling with historical data: If you have not healed from your trauma, you may struggle to revisit the past events or triggers that remind you of the traumatic event. While you should not rush into exposing yourself to these triggers, it is important to work on your inner-healing so that the triggers do not increase your symptoms of depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, internalized anger, resentment, and other symptoms and negative behaviors.Low opinion of your own self: While every traumatic event and experience may be unique, most of the time trauma lowers our self-esteem. Studies have shown that if you have PTSD, you’re more likely to have very low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness.Seeing change as frightening: Change is scary for most of us. However, for individuals who struggle with a trauma history, change can be 10 times more difficult. Trauma can affect your ability to trust others and experience life in positive ways. High levels of uncertainty and lack of confidence and sense of security can frighten and overwhelm you even with small changes in your life.Tips to deal with unhealed trauma
Don’t isolate yourself: When dealing with trauma, you may feel like no one understands you and you may end up pushing your loved ones away. However, it is important to stay connected with people who love you and care for you. Being isolated can worsen your symptoms. On the other hand, communicating about your traumatic event can aid in your recovery.
Go to a professional therapist: It can be difficult to manage a traumatic event on your own, even if you have full friends and family support. It is best to seek a mental health expert to help you heal safely and relatively smoothly.Stay away from alcohol: You may be tempted to drink alcohol to get rid of your anxiety or help you sleep. However, you may end up depending on alcohol, which will only worsen your mental and physical health.
Meditate: Sitting with your own thoughts can be difficult, but meditation can be a powerful tool to heal your mental scars from within. If your thoughts are too overwhelming, you can practice guided meditation under the supervision of an expert. Consult your therapist too on how to go about meditation according to your subjective case.
