During these unprecedented times we have ALL experience challenges. Some of you can attest that the year 2020 was one of the most unpredictable and unsettling year of your life. Nevertheless, if you are reading this it means you survived! Prior to the pandemic you may have experience other traumatic events in your life. Trauma memories are stored in the brain and they have a tendency to pop up at the most inopportune time. Since they are stored in our brain, trauma memories can shape and influence how we live our life today.
The word trauma or traumatized has been used carelessly by many to describe other’s behaviors or themselves. According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA),Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, unexpected death of a loved one or natural disaster. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. While these feelings are normal, some people have difficulty moving on with their lives.
There is a difference between trauma and trouble. Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that can shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless in a dangerous world. Psychological trauma can leave you struggling with upsetting emotions, memories, and anxiety that won’t go away. It can also leave you feeling numb, disconnected, and unable to trust other people.
There are several kinds of trauma:
- Acute trauma: This results from a single stressful or dangerous event.
- Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events. Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence.
- Complex trauma: This results from exposure to multiple traumatic events.
Remember, everyone responds to trauma differently. Some will have no ill effects; others may suffer an immediate and acute effect. Still others may not show signs of stress until sometime after the event.
Which response resembles you the most from the diagram above? (Flight) Are you the person that overthinks everything? Struggles with anxious thoughts or panic attacks. (Freeze)Or struggles with moving forward and making decisions. (Fight)Are you the person who “must” be in controlled of everything and has anger outbursts for no particular reasons? (Fawn)Do you often fail to set boundaries and try to please everyone?
Wherever you find yourself on the diagram above remember that negative trauma responses can spiral into ongoing and chronic negative coping behaviors. This can keep you engaged in unhealthy relationships with unhealthy behaviors if left untreated. This can include unhealthy:
- Relationship with ourselves, which can include self-esteem issues, struggles with perfectionism (or feelings of “never good enough”), and more.
- Relationships with other people, which can include struggles with any interpersonal relationship: intimate relationships, friendships, and family relationships.
- Relationships with substances, which can include not just substance abuse, but engaging in unhealthy overindulgence with any alcohol, food, prescribed medications, and/or illicit substances.
You may want to consider the option below to renew your sense of self & heal the wounds of your emotional trauma.
- Start with the spirit by finding a promise for the problem…..I often use this scripture when I need guidance for healing through a traumatic event “In all your ways acknowledge God, and He shall direct your paths Proverbs 3:6”.
- Seek help for the soul…..Trauma treatment by a mental health professional that utilizes (CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), PE (Prolonged Exposure), and EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing). Often, the support, guidance, and assistance of mental health professionals is fundamental to healing from trauma
Love yourself enough to do the work because God loves you and wants you healed. You can be whole spirit, soul and body but oftentimes we do not know we are in a “prison” until we experience true freedom. I realize that your time and energy are precious. You get to choose how you use it. Remember you are valuable…and worth the investment to become the best you from the inside out!
Best regards,
Dr. G
Dr.G....."Grace & Grit" 