A Bit On Trauma
Having survived some pretty traumatic events, I can deeply empathize with the extent to which it can jack up one’s chemistry and psyche. Depending on many factors that influence resiliency, as well as the support one receives, it can take awhile to find a harmonious balance again. Here’s a short list of possible effects on one’s brain that can seriously impact decision-making and quality of life:
Thankfully, there is more understanding, and more tools, than ever before for approaching healing. Most importantly, is to recognize the impact trauma may be having on one’s perceptions and personality. It seems pretty common to minimize or even deny that anything is wrong. Or try to impose some arbitrary timeframe within which one, or those around them, thinks that they should be “over it” and snap back to normal.
I had a few periods in life where there were multiple traumas that came close together. Many times I felt very much alone, which added to my suffering. It felt so overwhelming and endless, battling waves of grief and despair. Being triggered, and then flooded — with defensiveness, sadness and even rage. Wanting to escape into denial and numb out, until the unhealed trauma reared its ugly head again. But ultimately, I wanted to be free of the triggers and free of the cycle. It drove me to seek out ways to help myself.
Before I knew about triggers and flooding, and what happens in the brain and body, biochemically, I also thought I should be able to simply make the choice to move on and snap back from trauma, once I’d allowed myself to experience my feelings. And while allowing, feeling, and processing emotions are part of healing, I found some important assists along my journey.
Top of the list are being grateful as much as possible, tuning in to the body, and practicing self-compassion. Recognizing when my heart was racing, honoring my need for rest, tuning into my breathing, as well as engaging in nurturing behaviors was foundational. I also benefited greatly from ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) which deepened my compassion for myself and focuses on reinforcing choices and behaviors which served me, while letting go, with love for myself, those that didn’t.
Equally important for me has been energy and bodywork. Perhaps if I’d have stuck with my meditation and yoga practices over the years, I wouldn’t have needed as much help here. But, I didn’t. And as I couldn’t adequately stretch, breathe into, and release the trauma and emotions stuck in my body that created pain, stiffness and health conditions, I sought out assistance. It’s a work in progress that I still attend to, along with more meditation and yoga these days. But I felt helped immensely from acupuncture, acupressure massage and energy work, as well as healthy diet and exercise to balance my physical and energetic bodies and advance their healing.
Other things I’ve used in my own recovery, as well as much later in assisting clients, has been mindfulness, hypnotherapy, neuro-linguistic programming, EFT (emotional freedom technique), journaling and being in nature. And, if one’s life is on the line, or barely able to make other efforts, it isn’t a sign of a weak will, but very much an effect of chemical imbalance. It may be necessary to consider a short stint on medication, if recommended, to pull one’s head above water.
It can be helpful also to remember that “this too shall pass” and not over-identify with the post-trauma effects as somehow being a permanent attribute. The impact of trauma can be extreme and far-reaching, but doesn’t have to be permanent. We are magnificent beings capable of incredible things. And there are so many resources and tools for healing available now to choose from. I’ve benefitted from many myself and helped others as well.
If you’re someone who has experienced trauma, I encourage you to use every ounce of your will you can summon, to be loving and compassionate with yourself, and seek out help and assistance if needed, from healthy people, in whatever form speaks to you. Stay hopeful and know that you can come through it stronger than before. Healing trauma and finding happiness again doesn’t diminish the importance of whatever occurred or was taken, but gives you victory over your pain and restores wholeness, which you deserve.
