Everyone’s life is filled with potentially traumatic events. Some are obvious. Some are insidious. There is no way to know upfront whether or not an experience will result in trauma. If it does and the trauma is not resolved, long-term issues usually emerge. This is partly because moving on from trauma is hard — really hard.
Your personal journey of trauma recovery is unique for many reasons. These reasons may or not be under your control. What is under your control is the decision to recognize the realities of trauma and potentially Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This can help facilitate your healing.
6 Reasons Why Moving On From Trauma is Hard
1. It’s Not As Obvious As You Think
Not all traumas are dramatic — even cinematic — events. You may have endured a repetitive series of experiences that added up to traumatic damage. However, you’re not immediately connecting your symptoms with these experiences. You might be told you’re depressed. Perhaps a medical professional assumes it is a sleep disorder. Under you get to the root of the problem, moving on from trauma can’t begin.
2. Other Issues Exist at the Same Time
Just because you’ve been traumatized doesn’t mean you can’t also have other physical or psychological concerns. This could be, for example, substance abuse or anxiety disorders, or ongoing physical illnesses. Someone close to you could be having a tough time and it’s upset you. The existence of other issues allows for the possibility that, as in #1 above, you don’t automatically make the connection.
3. You’d Rather Avoid Thinking About the Past
But let’s say you’ve endured trauma and you are fully aware of it. It’s just as possible that you can’t bring yourself to re-visit the past. How can anyone move from the past if remembering it feels like it reignites the trauma? Indeed, this is a common obstacle in trauma recovery. It highlights the importance of finding the right match when it comes to therapy.
4. You Are Suppressing Memories and Emotions
Following up on #3 above, when it comes to trauma, there is a strong probability that avoidance is present. A common coping mechanism is to numb yourself to the pain. When you’re not in touch with the pain, the role is not blatantly obvious (see #1). It’s also possible that your method of numbing involves self-medication (see #2). Clearly, it is essential that a victim of trauma finds a way to access the related emotions. This is the path toward healing.
5. Trauma Impacts Your Brain
Our conscious, rational brain gets short-circuited. This leaves the primitive parts of our brain to run the show. Needless to say, this is not a recipe for success. The primitive brain will tell you can’t recover because no one can be trusted and there’s danger all around you. A skilled therapist can guide you through the process of reconnecting to your critical thinking skills.
6. Lack of Trust
If someone has betrayed — especially during childhood — it can feel impossible to trust again. You want to heal and move but you’re too afraid to take the necessary steps. Such a roadblock is best approached with the help of an experienced counselor. Until you can feel some trust, moving on is on hold.
Trauma alters your neurobiology. It is not your fault and there is no shame in asking for help. You can move on. You can recover and heal. But you will need guidance. If you feel stuck in a situation like this, I’d love to speak with you. I’d love to help you discover the necessary tools to move on and thrive again. Let’s connect soon and talk about the possibilities. If you’d like to read more about Trauma and PTSD Treatment click here.