When someone experiences or witnesses actual or threatened physical/sexual harm, the event can get lodged in the brain so that the past remains present.
People with a history of trauma typically attempt to keep it hidden whether because of shame or fear of remembering it. However, the trauma still finds a way to interfere with one’s daily life through creating symptoms such as flashbacks, depression, hypervigilance or disguising itself in addictions, excessive control behaviors, and even chronic health problems. Within the safety of counseling, clients can take the courageous steps to process the trauma so that it no longer defines their life.
Understanding the Effects of Trauma
It is not uncommon for someone with a trauma history to be high functioning for many years post-trauma until something triggers the traumatic event. When this occurs, the person often begins re-experiencing the vulnerability, powerlessness, sense of abandonment or shame just as acutely as they felt it at the time of the trauma. This produces a fight, flight, or freeze response that typically mimics the way the person coped during the original trauma. The person might be confused and ashamed by their strong reaction because it seems so uncharacteristic of them. Unfortunately, instead of seeking help, they may double down on their efforts to suppress their emotions and control their environment to avoid these triggers.
However, trying harder and criticizing yourself for not having better control over your response to the trauma tends to only make it harder to function and becomes a barrier to accepting help through counseling. With the help of a counselor trained in trauma work, it is possible to develop healthy coping strategies for managing triggers, build on your resources and resiliency, and resolve the source of the traumatic distress.
Seeking Support in Trauma Healing
If you have considered addressing trauma in your life, you may be afraid of being asked to talk about the memories in counseling. This is understandable, and in fact, it is not necessary for you to give any more details of the memories than you are comfortable with. The counselor must respect your boundary for when/whether you are ready to disclose this material. In fact, because trauma memories are composed mostly of emotions, physical sensations, and images, it is more important to work with these details rather than recounting everything that happened. The first and most important element of trauma counseling is developing a safe, predictable environment and trusting relationship with the counselor. This includes creating safety to experience your emotions and notice your internal world without becoming overwhelmed by it. This is best done with a counselor present to help you manage your triggers.
When you and your counselor agree that you are ready to begin reprocessing the traumatic material, the counselor will ensure that you maintain a sense of safety and awareness of being present with the counselor so that you are not re-traumatized and can return to functioning throughout the week. This could be some of the most rewarding work you pursue to reduce the power that the trauma has on your daily life.
Hope for Healing
If you have repeatedly become frustrated with yourself for having strong emotional reactions that seem out of place, there is a good chance you are still living out of painful memories that are frozen in time. When these memories can be processed, it opens you up to recognize resources and gain new perspectives. The shame, fear, or powerlessness can be dissipated, and for once, you may feel equipped to develop healthier relationships.
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The following therapists specialize in Trauma Recovery