Trauma is the experience of a variety of emotions caused by an event in the past. It is difficult to recover from childhood trauma. There will be many emotions to process. Trauma can remain in the body of the patient and cause disruptions to their daily life until it is fully processed.
Sometimes, people who have experienced trauma in their lives don’t know how to heal from it.
It is critical to realize that these emotions are indicators that your loved one is struggling. These reactions aren’t always about you. They probably really need your ongoing support but are struggling to see a way out of their distress and struggling to ask for help.
Here are some ways to help a friend or loved one who is suffering from trauma:
What Is Trauma?
There are two types of trauma: psychological and emotional. Both are the result of stressful events that adversely impact a person’s life, making them feel helpless or in danger. A person suffering from psychological trauma may have traumatic memories and emotions that can cause severe anxiety and disconnection.
Trauma can be caused by many factors. These are just a few reasons people experience trauma:
- One-time incidents: These are events that occur once in a person’s lifetime, such as an injury, violent attack, injury, or childhood memory.
- Recurring stress: Fear and anxiety can cause this, as well as fear and anxiety from living in unsafe areas, domestic violence, bullying, or other reasons.
- Overlooked causes: These can be events that seem ordinary to some but have a profound traumatic effect on others.
Addiction and Trauma
In recovery, the connection between addiction and trauma is often discussed. The human brain is constantly changing due to our skills and experiences. People can experience trauma that changes how they think and feel. These experiences will always be recalled by those who have been through traumatic events.
Trauma has been shown to be a cause of PTSD and other mental health problems. Recent research also demonstrates a strong link between trauma and addiction.
Most people suffering from addiction have suffered some form of trauma in their past. People who have had to deal with trauma in the past may resort to using drugs or alcohol to self-medicate. Traumatic experiences can lead to PTSD, depression, or social withdrawal. Stimulating drugs and alcohol can help with these conditions. These effects may not last long before another problem arises.
How to Support Someone with Trauma
These are the top things you can do for someone who has suffered from a traumatic experience:
- Provide assistance and offer support.
You can offer support and love to someone who has suffered trauma. This will help them feel more at ease and learn to accept what happened. There are many ways to offer support:
- Be available for them and enjoy time together as you would normally.
- Do not take their actions personally. People who aren’t able to heal from trauma can experience many emotions. They might be angry, depressed, and irritable. It is important to learn how they feel and not react negatively.
- Reassure them that what they are feeling is normal.
- Assist them in maintaining their daily routine.
- Allow them to have space whenever they need it.
- Talk to them about it.
It is a good idea to talk to your loved ones about the trauma they have experienced and how you can help them heal. Let them talk about everything, but don’t insist if they don’t want to. Reassure them that you will listen when they need it.
- Participate in activities.
You can make sure they feel comfortable and normal in certain situations by getting involved in activities like swimming, exercising, and socializing with their friends. These activities can help them feel more comfortable and lower their stress levels. You can also make them smile or laugh.
- Learn their triggers.
Ask yourself whether any circumstances or discussions are likely to bring up unpleasant memories or feelings. Loud noises or disputes, for example, may cause them distress. Understanding their triggers may help you avoid circumstances like these and feel more prepared when they experience reactions like flashbacks.
- Don’t judge them.
It might be difficult to comprehend why a friend or a family member can’t seem to move on if you haven’t experienced trauma yourself or have different feelings about common events. It’s normal to hope for things to improve, but don’t blame them or put pressure on them to change without the time and support they require.
Key Takeaway
It is tough to see someone you care about suffer from the effects of a traumatic experience. You may get concerned about their well-being and feel helpless when confronted with their emotional reactions to the occurrence. When dealing with a traumatic situation, the support of family and friends is vital. There is plenty you can do to help the individual who has been impacted, including contacting a professional.
Professionals like those at havenhouserecovery.com are well-equipped to offer addiction and trauma treatment for your loved ones.
