Trauma
Trauma – big ‘T’ or little ‘t’ – all are painful.
Often, we associate the word “trauma” with what our soldiers have experienced in combat. However, emotional trauma is when we incur damage or injury to the mind and body after living through an extremely frightening or distressing event.
Sometimes trauma can result in challenges related to functioning or coping normally after the event.
When that occurs, it leaves an imprint on our nervous system that can change the course of how our body reacts to normal situations. The body can even release different chemicals causing us to move into survival mode of fight, flight, freeze or faint.
Traumatic experiences include, but are not limited to, experiencing or witnessing: car accidents, medical issues, any kind of abuse or assault, divorce or a breakup, death of a loved one, adoption, stressful pregnancy and/or delivery.
The effects of trauma are vast.
Almost everyone has a history of unnerving experiences, whether big or small. Often, when those experiences leave lasting trauma, people can have one or more symptoms of:
Avoiding people or situations- Difficulty forming healthy relationships
- Disorientation, loss of memory, zoning out
- Anxiety, depression or panic
- Not knowing why you feel the way you do
- Feeling stuck or like you should “be over it already”
- Seemingly over-reactive or under-reactive to mild stress
- Remembering memories, flashbacks or nightmares
It can be overwhelming to learn you have trauma.
Know that you are not alone. And you don’t have to deal with it alone! Traditional talk therapy can help you identify your trauma and the effects it has had on you. Often, just understanding what the root issue is can help to begin the healing process.
The body can store trauma in a way that makes us susceptible to becoming triggered. When we are triggered, something in the present reminds us of a past situation. We then react with similar thoughts and behaviors that might not seem completely related to the present.
If triggers are often or significant, I generally recommend we utilize the evidence-based therapy called Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). You can read more about EMDR as an option here.
Where is God in trauma?
That is a great topic to talk through as we process the effects of brokenness and who God is. Throughout the Bible, there are glimpses of different traumatic experiences that can help give us perspective. If you can relate to this question or topic, gospel-centered therapy is a safe place to this explore together.
It’s easy to stay where you are.
Facing your trauma does not feel good. To survive and push forward, you might have tried to stuff it down or dismiss the impact it has had on you. Unfortunately, trauma has a way of rising to the surface and wreaking havoc when we least expect it.
If you are exhausted trying to manage your trauma and are ready to work toward healing, I would love to help you begin that process. Give me a call at (512) 599-7803, and we can talk about how to begin.