Turning Trauma into Triumph
By Paul Triggs, LMSW
The unfortunate experience of trauma is something most people will face at some point in their lives. Trauma is defined as “a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury” (1). I understand that while reading this definition you may be thinking that sounds rare, however, it is not. For example, according to the National Trauma Center, trauma is the number one cause of death for people in the U.S. from ages 1-46 (2). Although these statistics may seem disheartening, here are some things you can do to defeat your past trauma and triumph to become the best version of yourself.
1. Take Care of Yourself
The first piece of guidance I have for you may seem overly simple, but I promise it works. Take a moment to think of what taking care of yourself means to you. Yes, I know the term self-care is used commonly today which is one reason why I rephrased the first tip to “take care of yourself.” On the other hand, self-care is not just a popular phrase but an essential part of life. The truth is, you take part in self-care every day unconsciously. For example, watching what you eat, exercising, cleaning your living area, and self-grooming are just a few acts of self-care you likely partake in often. In response, why not take some time out of your day to do something fun? The act of partaking in things you enjoy is necessary because we all need something to look forward to and positive memories to reflect upon. The action of self-care is also a protective factor that helps build resilience and provides hope.
2. Talk to your family and friends
The thought of bringing your family and friends into your personal issues, especially a traumatic experience, may be overwhelming which is very normal response. The truth is, discussing such painful information is difficult and your friends or family may not know how to help. The main goal is to get talking and try to keep up your close connections. The experience of trauma is something nobody wants to experience, but this only get harder if you are navigating through this challenge alone. The simple act of connecting with family and friends can increase resilience and set you on a course toward triumph.
3. Seek a Therapist
The idea of looking for a therapist and sharing your intimate thoughts is commonly overwhelming but if you connect with the right person, miracles can happen. For example, research has shown that frameworks such as Cognitive Processing Therapy or CPT have been used successfully in treating military members with PTSD (3). Furthermore, in one study the researchers found between more than half of the program participants no longer met the criteria for PTSD (3). In turn, trauma is very difficult thing to live with, but you are doing well and reaching out to the right helping professional can make that make that even better.
References
Merriam-Webster (2020) Trauma Definition. Retrieved from: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/trauma
National Trauma Institute (2020). Trauma #1 Cause of Death. Retrieved from: https://www.nattrauma.org/what-is-trauma/trauma-statistics-facts /
Watkins, L. E., Sprang, K. R., & Rothbaum, B. O. (2018). Treating PTSD: A Review of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Interventions. Frontiers in behavioral neuroscience, 12, 258. doi:10.3389/fnbeh.2018.00258