Certain occupations also mean you’re more likely to be exposed to trauma as part of your role, as is the case for first responders (fire and emergency services, police, ambulance and paramedics), and emergency medicine. Depending on where you live in the world, natural disasters (e.g. bushfires, earthquakes, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes) may be part of your lived experience. Following a difficult pregnancy or childbirth, you may even find it hard to bond with your child Suicide prevention resources in Seattle because of the reminders of the trauma, which in turn can trigger guilt.
Process the Events with Others—To a Point
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Eating healthy, exercising, avoiding alcohol and drugs, getting enough sleep, seeing loved ones regularly, and engaging in self-care can help relieve trauma symptoms. Some people may undergo post-traumatic growth, forging stronger relationships, redefining their relationships with new meaning and or spiritual purpose, and gaining a deeper appreciation for life. Over time, such individuals are at risk for compassion fatigue, whereby they avoid investing emotionally in other people in an attempt to protect themselves from experiencing distress.
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There are many other thoughts and feelings you may experience at this time and in the weeks after the trauma. We can experience ‘flashbacks’, where it feels like the event is still happening, and notice intense emotions and distress. A traumatic event can result in physical injuries, such as broken or fractured bones, chest injuries or head injuries. Symptoms of PTSD can include flashbacks, severe anxiety, or uncontrollable thoughts about the traumatic event. Trusted friends, family, or mental health professionals can provide comfort, advice, and new perspectives.
Practicing self-love can help release self-blame and replenish a positive view of yourself after trauma. Find an activity that feels soothing like yoga, massage, stretching, or a self-hug. Traumatic experiences can stay with us for years in the body, and attention to the physical body can be restorative. If you can’t think of someone, seek out a support group online. Video chat with a close friend to talk about how you’re feeling. Consider who in your life you can lean on or be vulnerable with.
Let us know about your experience:
- If you get stuck, or struggle with what comes up, reach out for help and support either from a trusted ally or a professional counsellor.
- For most people, these problems lessen with time.
- The hypothesized model in which both the forms of self-efficacy were predictors of SWB and positive coping, and SWB partially mediated the relation between self-efficacy measures and positive coping was tested by means of Structural equation modeling.
The Five Ways to Wellbeing are simple steps you can take to help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life. If after a month or so there is no sign of these feelings or changes getting better, it might be time to get some help. Whatever stage of healing you are in today, remember that growth after trauma is a journey, and that journey can take time.
Try reaching out to a professional or a close friend to gradually work your way up to your goals. Try looking into online forums or support groups offered by community orgs or hospitals. If you don’t feel like you have a trusted loved one to talk to, there are plenty of other options to connect. Addressing these roadblocks is often the first step toward healing from trauma and PTSD.
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