What is Trauma?
Succinctly, trauma is any event which causes stress that overwhelms us for which we do not have adequate coping skills to deal with on our own.
People with trauma tell me:
“I feel like something is wrong with me, but I don’t know what.”
“I don’t feel safe. I’m scared all the time.”
“I can’t stop crying.”
My mind won’t stop thinking about it over and over.”
“When I try to sleep it comes back, so I don’t want to sleep.”
“I can’t stop my body from shaking.”
“I don’t want to leave my bedroom.”
“I can’t concentrate at work.”
“I just want to be alone. I don’t talk to my friends anymore.”
“I’m so angry all the time.”
“I don’t want anyone to touch me.”
“I don’t believe I deserve anything good.”
No one wants to talk about these things. We want to ignore them, but we can’t. We think it will go away, but it doesn’t. We worry if we talk about it that we will lose control and go crazy or never stop crying.
What is traumatic for you may not be traumatic for another person – and that’s okay. Not processing or talking about your trauma can make it worse. Often trauma rears its head when you feel the safest.
It makes us feel bad about ourselves.
When trauma goes unresolved it can make it difficult to get rid of depression and anxiety.
Some people don’t realize what happened to them was trauma or they say that it wasn’t as bad as what happened to someone else.
“I thought it was my fault.”
“I believed I was a bad person.”
“We thought we had more control over the situation than we did.
Trauma can come from anything:
- Bullying
- Divorce
- A partner being unfaithful
- Abuse
- Living with someone with addiction
- Parents that were unable to meet all of your needs as a child
- Death of a loved one
The results of trauma can include:
- Depression/not being able to feel happy
- Anxiety/panic attacks
- Health problems
- Addiction
- Co-dependency/people pleasing
- Perfectionism
- Feeling worthless/low self-esteem
- Treating yourself poorly/poor self-care
Generally, trauma that happened as a child, especially when it happened more than once can be more difficult to overcome than a trauma that happened once as an adult.
Envision the life that you want. A life where you feel more in control because you’re in control of your emotions. Where you and your partner connect emotionally, physically and sexually. Where you can go out and have fun with friends. You have energy and motivation because you’re not worrying. You can concentrate. You feel safe. You’re growing into the person that you’ve always wanted to be.
Facing and working through trauma is vital to get to the life you want. It’s not easy, but you can do it. Let me teach you ways to soothe yourself so that you don’t get overwhelmed and you feel in control of your emotions as you work through this trauma.
My Passion Is Helping People Heal
I will not push you into discussing anything you’re not ready for. Let me help you learn to love yourself and get rid of the heavy burden you’re carrying. You don’t have to do this alone.
Contact me at (225) 366-8606 for a free 15 minute phone consultation to see if I’m the right person to help you heal.