Recovering From Past Trauma

Trauma is a reactionary response to an accident, an acute event, disaster, shock, or an emotional setback like rape or humiliation. The subject usually responds to the situation with a feeling of shock. It is a type of denial mode. Recovering from past trauma is difficult but possible. There is a way out that needs focus and consistent work. The long-term effects are awkward emotional reactions. There are symptoms of bad relationships with a physical illness like headache, nausea, and shivering. It is a psychological disorder but a treatable one. 

Know the Facts

An issue can only be resolved after knowing its actual cause. How you can tame a dog if you don’t know what a dog is? Trauma is a sudden and acute response to a difficult situation. But the good news is that though difficult, recovery is possible. It can only be achieved through professional guidance by a qualified psychologist. 

Knowing facts is a way to minimize the gravity of the situation. Knowing facts is vital for both the affected person and the healer. Hiding things from the healer can lead him nowhere. No remedy can work without knowing the cause of the trouble. 

Evaluate Current Situation

Taking stock of the situation is the only measure that can help better understand the nature of the issue and its severity. The trauma patient can not assess and recall the events responsible for the ordeal. The psychologist then uses the tact to peep into the pipe to get the light on the other side.

He does this in the light of his knowledge and experience. Evaluating the current situation is a sort of data analysis that helps formulate the strategy to take the affected person in the loop to resolve the issue. The readiness of the affected person to get back to normal is only possible by taking him into confidence. 

Self Care Initiative

Trauma harms the willpower of a person falling prey to the ordeal. The person starts feeling emptiness, lack of confidence, depression, and uselessness. The first thing first for the psychologist is to restore his trust in him. Bringing him to the level of feeling useful can enable him to lead a bit more normal life.

Taking a self-care initiative has vital importance. Making him capable of caring for himself is the prime goal. Things start becoming easy once the person starts taking care. Taking responsibility means understanding of situation and determination to turn the table.

Self-care is not an easy concept for a trauma patient to grasp. A patient needs training and coaching to get out of the riddle. The task is difficult but not unattainable. It is a matter of starting life again from point zero. Extending a caring helping hand can do the miracle. 

Gel in Team

Aristotle was prophetic to narrate that “a man is a social animal”. Man, therefore, is not made to survive in aloofness. Trauma causes depression pushing the person into isolation. The pressure makes a man introvert feel of spoil and spent. Loneliness itself is a major psychological setback.

When alone one keeps on concentrating on problems. The company of others keeps a person involved distracting his mind from the core tension point. The gel in the team means exploring the endless possibilities of being a social animal. Spending more time in the company of people diverts the thought of uselessness towards self-importance.

The feeling of liking by others is like pumping fresh blood. The person starts exploring the reason for reliving life. Leading a social life is a therapy that never fails. Help others while others help you. It is a natural way for recovering from past trauma.

Show Patience

Taking one out of trauma is not an easy job. It is an uphill task. A lot of patience and waiting is an answer for both the psychologist and the affected person. Measuring a kid on daily basis to check their growth can only lead to depression. But a look at him after a year makes a pleasant difference. The same is true in the case of trauma. 

Start fighting the odds. It is a long nerve testing game to play. Avoid being irritated if the results are not showing quickly. Efforts are never going in vain. A fruit always takes time to reap. Be a good gardener for yourself. For many questions in life, only time is the real answer.

Care Your Physical Fitness

A feeling of deprivation not only disturbs mental health but make a negative effect on physical health also. The human body is perhaps the most complicated machine in the universe. It needs uninterrupted regular care. Exercise, a workout, and nutrition are keys to supplementing recovery efforts. 

Seek support from others, and join a gym, health, or sports club. Make it routine to be observed with religious zeal. It will improve your energy level, stamina, and overall body health. All these feel-good factors keep you happy, satisfied, and in a condition of high self-esteem

Recovering from past trauma is not an easy journey. It is still an ordeal. The above 6 points are only a glimpse of healing steps from the trauma. It is a long journey to cover. The aim is total recovery which is too far to attain. A long list of steps is possible to draw. Recovering from past trauma is a challenge. Be brave to accept it with courage and pass through with consistency.

Taking fewer or more measures is not an issue. Consistency is the question to answer. Healing from trauma is a complicated process. It needs wholehearted efforts both by the person and the people around.

Photo by Susan Wilkinson on Unsplash

Urza Omar
  • Urza Omar
  • The writer has a proven track as a mentor, motivational trainer, blogger, and social activist. She is the founder of mindclassic.com a blog intended for avid readers.