Just like a physical scar from a deep cut takes time to heal, recovery from trauma is possible with time and treatment. It's important to remember that ignoring or avoiding symptoms of trauma isn't a healthy coping response (in fact, avoiding them can make things worse — more on that later).
The normal healing and recovery process involves the body coming down out of heightened arousal. The internal alarms can turn off, the high levels of energy subside, and the body can re-set itself to a normal state of balance and equilibrium. Typically, this should occur within approximately one month of the event.
The recovery process therefore is based upon empowerment of the survivor and restoration of relationships. The recovery process may be conceptualized in three stages: establishing safety, retelling the story of the traumatic event, and reconnecting with others.
Safety is perhaps the most difficult part of the trauma recovery process. If you do not feel safe in your body, environment, or relationships, then you will not be able to healthily process the trauma experience(s).
Trauma is not physically held in the muscles or bones — instead, the need to protect oneself from perceived threats is stored in the memory and emotional centers of the brain, such as the hippocampus and amygdala. This activates the body whenever a situation reminds the person of the traumatic event(s).
After practicing TRE® people often use the words 'grounded', 'relaxed' and 'calmer' to describe their feelings. After a period of several months people have reported relief from illnesses such as Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, Eczema and IBS.
Cognitive Signs of Unhealed Trauma
You may experience nightmares or flashbacks that take you back to the traumatic event. Furthermore, you may struggle with mood swings, as well as disorientation and confusion, which can make it challenging to perform daily tasks.
Not everyone who survives a traumatic event develops a mental health problem. The feelings that you're feeling after going through a trauma are normal, and any human being would experience them in your shoes. Sometimes, people are able to heal from trauma without the support of professional treatment.
"Looking forward to the future and being able to create a renewed sense of self. The traumatic event is no longer the primary event in one's life. Therefore, being able to reconnect with oneself and embrace the future without feeling overwhelmed is also a positive sign in trauma healing," Dr Parul told HT.
rather than increase, and that others can be trusted to understand and help. In addition to avoidance as a defense, those with traumatic histories have typically developed negative cognitions, interpretations, and mental models.
Treatment for trauma
By concentrating on what's happening in your body, you can release pent-up trauma-related energy through shaking, crying, and other forms of physical release.
Brain areas implicated in the stress response include the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Traumatic stress can be associated with lasting changes in these brain areas. Traumatic stress is associated with increased cortisol and norepinephrine responses to subsequent stressors.
The symptoms of unresolved trauma may include, among many others, addictive behaviors, an inability to deal with conflict, anxiety, confusion, depression or an innate belief that we have no value.
The final stage of recovery is about empowerment. You might worry that you'll never be the same as you were before the traumatic incident, but the trauma you endured doesn't need to define who you are.
Intrusive memories
Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event. Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks) Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event. Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event.
Delayed responses to trauma can include persistent fatigue, sleep disorders, nightmares, fear of recurrence, anxiety focused on flashbacks, depression, and avoidance of emotions, sensations, or activities that are associated with the trauma, even remotely.