How To Cope When Current Events Bring Up Past Trauma
It can be very difficult to avoid events that can bring up past trauma, especially in a world where we can see anything unfiltered by the click of a button on our phones. Whether it is news of major disasters, injustice, or violence, witnessing these events can be overwhelming and bring up traumatic memories. We will discuss how therapy can help individuals with recurrent trauma.
What Does Trauma Look Like?
Trauma may not look the same for every single person, as it varies widely depending on the individual and their personal experience. Generally, a trauma disorder is when someone experiences something traumatic and the lasting effects of the trauma create negative symptoms. Some examples of traumatic experiences may include:
Witnessing or being the victim of violence and abuse
Surviving a natural disaster
War
Losing loved ones suddenly
Experiencing physical illness or injury
A trauma disorder like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), causes individuals to live with negative emotions for long periods of time, and leads to symptoms that interfere with daily life. Some common signs of trauma to look out for include:
Experiencing flashbacks or nightmares about the traumatic event
Avoiding others and previously enjoyed activities
Mood swings
Negative feelings (sadness, guilt, irritability, etc.)
Difficulties sleeping
Self-harming behaviors
Why It’s Important To Address Trauma
When we are reminded of traumatic events from the past due to current triggers, it can feel like the only solution is to push these feelings away. However, not addressing your trauma may cause trauma related symptoms to continue to negatively impact your health and your relationships. Addressing trauma can feel uncomfortable and it is understandable to be hesitant to do so, but it is the first step towards healing and managing the negative emotions that come along with it.
How Therapy Can Help Those With Recurrent Trauma
Therapy can be a helpful resource for supporting those dealing with trauma to learn how to manage triggers and help you understand the symptoms you are experiencing. There are many therapeutic approaches that can help such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), emotion-focused therapy (EFT), and prolonged exposure (PE). For example, CBT can help challenge your perspectives and thoughts about the traumatic event that you have developed. Reframing these thoughts and restructuring your reactions to symptoms as they happen can provide relief for some individuals.
If you find yourself feeling and experiencing some of the symptoms mentioned, and you are struggling to cope with your experiences, please reach out to us to book your first free 15-minute consultation to see if therapy is the right fit for you.
