To sum up trauma treatment in a word, it’s processing. Of course, it’s more complicated than a single word, but processing is the goal. In Part 1 of this series, we defined trauma and listed its many versions. We discussed how it happens and what the potential health fallout can be. The final section was called “Trauma Can Be Processed.”
This is precisely what we will talk about now. Upon learning the often ugly details behind trauma, it is critical to grasp that healing does happen. Trauma can be, and is usually, resolved. So, let’s do a deeper dive into this, well, “process.”
#TraumaProcessing
Yes, this topic has even become a popular hashtag. That’s not surprising since any kind of trauma is both common and challenging and can’t be processed in real-time. When undergoing a terrible event, you’re in fight or flight mode. Your mind and body are all about survival. Reacting takes precedence over thinking.
It’s later—weeks, months, years, or even decades—that you can reflect. What happened, and what impact did it have on me? This is especially true when a traumatic event occurs during childhood. Processing almost always requires the person to go back to the event and see it with new eyes.
It Doesn’t Mean You Have to Re-Live the Trauma
A condition like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) imposes traumatic memories upon you. Through flashbacks, nightmares, and other intrusive thoughts, you may feel as if you are going through the trauma over and over. Processing trauma requires facing up to what happened to you in a more controlled and compassionate manner. Working with a therapist who applies Trauma Informed Care, the priority is feeling safe and supported.
As detailed in Part 1, traumatic memories get stored as sensory fragments (images, sounds, smells, tastes, or tactile sensations). This leaves you susceptible to the aforementioned intrusive thoughts (and more).
How to Process Your Trauma
With rare exceptions, dealing with trauma is not a solo act. Working with an experienced therapist is an excellent starting point. That said, there are several basic self-help steps to take that will complement whatever treatment you choose. These include but are not limited to the following:
Healthy Physical Activity
Your body craves movement. Find ways to move that keep your entire body and your mind engaged. Exercise’s benefits are well-documented but include many positive emotional elements.
Take Care of the Basics
Get enough sleep and try to keep a regular sleep routine. In addition, food impacts mood. Make healthy eating and drinking choices. Balance this physical self-care with the emotional brand, e.g.:
Breathing exercises
Meditation
Mindfulness
Grounding techniques
Listening to mellow, relaxing music
Aromatherapy
Stay Social
Trauma is enough to provoke anyone to choose to withdraw. While some solitude is necessary for everyone, isolation will only exacerbate trauma symptoms. Connect with others—especially in person or at least on the phone. Subsets of this tip can involve joining a support group and/or challenging yourself to make new friends.
Get Involved With Helping Others
Trauma can temporarily rob you of any sense of feeling useful. It dampens your hope, too. Reaching out to help others is an ideal antidote. Someone gets helped, of course, and you are also reminded of how valuable you are. You reconnect to how much you have to offer. Joining a volunteer group to do such work is another excellent way to stay socially connected with the outside world. Everyone wins!
You’re Not Alone
You can process trauma, and you can thrive again. I invite you to reach out today to set up a free and confidential consultation. Let’s get you started on your way toward healing.
