After experiencing an unpleasant event is common for an affected person to experience trauma. Some causes include being in combat, sexual assault, or physical harm. Trauma not only happens to the person who undergoes a bad experience but can affect someone who witnesses it. The brain is overwhelmed and may block it from remembering what happened. However, symptoms vary between individuals, and trauma therapy in London personalizes the treatment for patients depending on their needs.
Let us look at the various stages of trauma and how to cope with it.
Coping with the Stages of Trauma
Although the problem differs between people, knowing the stages of trauma can help deal with the condition. Here are some steps they go through during the healing process;
1. Denial
The mind processes traumatic events by limiting a person from accessing memories of what happened, which leads to denial. It is a way of the brain setting up a defense mechanism since the effects can be hard to accept. People need time to process the happenings and come to terms with the traumatic event they underwent. To move past the stage, it is critical to confront your thoughts and emotions. Revisiting the occurrence may be scary or painful, but it helps accept the reality.
2. Anger
Once you move past the denial stage, you may experience fits of rage because of what happened. Anger arises from thinking about injustice, losing a loved one, or capabilities. The second stage is a response to coping with trauma: It may cause someone to isolate themselves and be defiant, irritable, or sarcastic. A psychotherapist in London will help identify the reasons for being angry and provide ways to deal with it.
3. Negotiating
After the first two stages, a person suffering from trauma tries to negotiate their way out of the condition. It involves looking for ways to reverse the effects. Wishful thinking will not help overcome traumatic experiences. So, it is best to tackle the problem head-on and move past it.
4. Depression
The fourth stage of trauma is depression. It follows after accepting reality and fighting through various emotions. A person may feel a void in themselves, sad and hopeless, negatively affecting their quality of life. It is advisable to undergo treatment when experiencing depression, which may include medication.
5. Acceptance
It is the final step towards recovery from trauma. However, the time it takes to heal varies, and you should not put pressure on yourself. At this stage, you come to terms with the traumatic events and their consequences. It entails forgiving others for any wrongdoings and moving past them. Getting support from friends and family plays a significant role in acceptance.
Final Word
Dealing with traumatic encounters can be challenging. A person undergoes emotions like anger, shame, or guilt, cannot sleep well, is afraid of the event reoccurring, and may indulge in bad habits like substance abuse. Besides the impact of trauma on mental health, it affects a person’s physical well-being. An affected person can have sexual dysfunction, fatigue, increased heart rate, muscle tension, and body aches. The symptoms limit them from doing basic tasks and affect their general well-being.
