Myths of Trauma
Posted: February 26, 2021
What is preventing you from getting the help you deserve? Do you finally want to feel a sense of freedom from your past and confidence within yourself? What utterly scares you in taking the next step to face the trauma you have experienced? It is entirely normal and part of the process of healing from trauma to have fears, hesitations, and resistance. It is also common to have thoughts and beliefs about not wanting to get the help you need. From listening and supporting clients, I have found some common myths about the trauma that have held back the healing process. Once these myths have been explored and supported, it brings relief, understanding, and confidence to help take the next healing step.
MYTHS
Myth: If I ignore it, it will just go away. If I acknowledge it, I will “go crazy.” Truth: Acknowledging how your trauma has affected you and getting help will allow you to heal. Ignoring the effects of your trauma can make your symptoms worse. These symptoms tell you that something is unhealed and needs your help to be safe and heal. It is scary and seems uncertain to face your past trauma, but you won’t “go crazy.” Part of getting help is learning how to cope with feelings, memories, and uncertainty. It also gives you a safe and supportive environment to do this in, which you didn’t have when you experienced your trauma. It won’t be a perfect process. You will still experience difficult emotions, but you won’t be doing it alone when you get help, and you will learn how to cope and have support, which you didn’t before. Myth: I don’t have flashbacks or nightmares, so my experience must not have been traumatic. Truth: Symptoms of trauma can vary and aren’t limited to flashbacks and nightmares. Trauma affects memories that show up in nightmares and flashbacks, but trauma also affects somatic effects, emotions, self-belief, and perspective of the world. Other symptoms may involve but aren’t limited to: overwhelm or numb feelings, avoidance, withdrawal or dependency in relationships, overworking, lack of interest in life, extreme criticism of self, or low self-esteem. These are just some other ways trauma can show itself in daily living. Myth: It was my fault. I could have prevented it. Truth: It wasn’t your fault. You did the best you could in the circumstance. Traum affects a person’s whole being. That includes your perception of yourself and how you now view your worth. This response and belief are typical relating to trauma due to the intense fear and unsafety experienced. Trauma is too much for the body to process at once, so it reacts by flight, freeze, or flight. The trauma response is not a judge of your character or preparedness. At times, this can be challenging because there is generally a feeling of shame relating to the incident, making it very vulnerable to share. The feeling of it being your fault can be restored and healed. Through healing from trauma, you can gain a better sense of understanding of yourself relating to your trauma, along with developing more confidence and strength. The trauma you experienced was real, it did happen, and it wasn’t your fault. The trauma you experienced was enough in itself. Don’t allow this past to continue to disrupt your present-day and future. You deserve to heal and find your freedom. Reach out for help and support today!