People with trauma often find it challenging to seek help as they worry it can be a draining, long, and painful process. Seeking professional help is essential to heal and overcome post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). One must accept the traumatic event they sadly endured and acknowledge the necessity of professional treatment.
Health professionals confirm that the main goal of this healing process is to equip individuals with coping skills that will help them manage the impact trauma has on their day-to-day lives. Healing is a lifelong journey, but it is worth the effort, as it will free one’s present and future from the grip of their past.
PTSD: The Healing Journey Is Not Linear
As traumatic events aren’t always physical, trauma can leave psychological scars as well as physical ones. In the aftermath, individuals with trauma often find themselves struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD changes one’s perspective of the world, altering their thoughts and feelings toward themselves and their environment. These alterations often disrupt their life, halts their functionality, prevents them from moving forward, shatters their self-image, and can even affect their physical health. It’s crucial to get help from a professional, as living in the shadow of one’s trauma can thoroughly damage their ability to lead their lives and cloud their judgment of their value and life’s purpose.
The recovery journey requires commitment and a strong will. Healing is not always going to be linear: one might face obstacles, detours, delays, or even sudden urges to give up. It can be hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel at the beginning of the journey, but one needs to trust in themselves and the process. Though there is no standard manual or guide to follow in one’s healing journey from PTSD, having a competent professional by one’s side will help keep one on the track that is most suitable and beneficial for their recovery.
Stages of Change and Post-Traumatic Growth
In 2021, Lisa Ogilvie, who has an MSc in Counseling and Positive Psychology, and Jerome Carson, who is a clinical psychologist, conducted research in trauma recovery at the University of Bolton in the UK. The researchers suggested five stages of trauma recovery according to the Extended Transformational Model. It’s important to note that these stages are not necessarily the standard for each individual’s journey, but they encapsulate the overall framework. The five stages of the model are:
- Precontemplation and Pre-trauma Characteristics: This stage refers to the beliefs, behaviors, and traits you have before you encounter the traumatic event, which eventually makes you contemplate all that you believe about yourself and the world around you.
- Contemplation and Rumination: In this stage, your brain starts processing the trauma and breaking it down to try and understand exactly what you went through. It is often an overwhelming phase; you might find yourself dealing with a lot of feelings, intrusive thoughts, and memories.
- Event Centrality: This is the turning point in one’s healing journey. At this stage, you accept the impact that trauma has on you and your life, and you start planning the steps from this point on. You might still be overwhelmed and scared of the change you inevitably need, but you acknowledge that you deserve to move forward and become healthier.
- Action and Control: At this stage, you are actively trying to make a change. You might start with finding a professional to help you learn more about your trauma and develop healthier coping mechanisms. You are moving toward freeing yourself from the control trauma has on you.
- Maintenance and Mastery: At this stage, you’re seeing the world through a new lens as you start living your new post-trauma life. Your trauma might still affect you, but as you continue learning and refining your coping mechanism, it will not be controlling your present or dooming your future.
Final Thoughts
Recovery from trauma and PTSD is a long and difficult journey, but it is not impossible. You must keep in mind that healing will not happen overnight, you will need to put a lot of effort into it. You also must be patient, gentle, and understanding toward yourself. Healing is not a competition, you are on your own journey, so walk on your own pace. Do not shy away from getting the necessary help and support from professionals and loved ones. It is a long road, but it is deserving. You have the right to lead a life in which you’re comfortable in your own skin and able to strive for a better future.
Disclaimer: This article is intended simply to provide information. It does not replace the medical advice of a physician. Please speak with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.
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