How to heal from trauma: Tips From Psychiatrists

Do you feel like you can’t ever move past the pain of trauma? 

You’re not alone – millions of people have been in your shoes and are still struggling.

But there is hope for a better life after trauma, and psychiatrists have years of experience helping their patients heal from deep emotional wounds.

In this blog post, we’ll share tips from leading psychiatrists on how to recover from trauma so you can get back to living an emotionally healthy life again.

What is trauma?

Emotional trauma is a term used to describe an emotional response to an event or series of events that produce an overwhelming sense of danger or threat. 

It can result from a variety of experiences, from natural disasters and physical abuse to sexual assault or the unexpected loss of a loved one. Emotional trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can negatively impact an individual’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

It can cause various symptoms, including anxiety, depression, flashbacks, nightmares, and difficulty sleeping. It is important to note that trauma affects not only the individual but also those around them, including friends and loved ones. 

Furthermore, the effects of trauma can linger for years and interfere with an individual’s ability to function in the world around them.

Acknowledge your emotions and take time to process them

Acknowledging your emotions and taking the time to process them is essential for healing from trauma. 

Traumatic events can cause a range of emotions, including sadness, anger, fear, and confusion. These emotions can be overwhelming, and it may be tempting to push them aside and try to move on. 

However, suppressing your feelings can lead to long-term psychological damage. It is important to allow yourself to feel your emotions, even if they are uncomfortable.

It is also essential to recognise that healing takes time and is a process. There is no timeline for healing, and taking as much time as needed to work through your emotions is okay.  

Remember, acknowledging and processing your emotions is a crucial step towards healing from trauma. 

Identify and challenge your negative thoughts – learn how to reframe them into more positive ones

If you have experienced trauma, you may find that negative thoughts and feelings arise frequently. These thoughts can be harmful to our mental and physical health over time, and it’s essential to identify and challenge them. 

The first step to doing this is learning to recognise them when they appear. These thoughts may seem automatic, but they are learned, and you have the power to retrain your brain to think differently. 

The next step is to challenge these thoughts by finding evidence that contradicts them. Ask yourself; Is this thought entirely true? Are there other ways to look at this situation?

Lastly, reframe these negative thoughts into more positive ones by replacing them with affirming and empowering ones. For example, replace “I’m not good enough” with “I’m doing my best, and that is enough.” By challenging and reframing negative thoughts, we can begin to heal from trauma and move forward in a more positive direction.

Talk to someone you trust about your experiences and how you are feeling 

Trauma has an immense impact on our minds and bodies, leaving us feeling lost, helpless, and sometimes completely worn out. However, opening up to someone you trust about your experiences and feelings can be the first step towards healing from trauma.

It can be challenging to come to terms with the trauma that we may have experienced, but letting someone in who cares about us can help lift that weight off our shoulders. Talking to a close friend, family member or a therapist who can provide professional advice can help us gain new perspectives and shed light on feelings we might not have realised we had.

It can help us process our thoughts and emotions in a way that feels safe and acknowledged.

Therefore, sharing our emotions with someone we trust can provide us with valuable support, guidance and comfort, and promote our personal growth and healing.

Make a self-care plan that includes activities that help you relax

Self-care is crucial for anyone who has experienced trauma. Trauma can leave a lasting impact on our emotional and physical health, and finding activities that help us relax can aid in the recovery process. 

Developing a self-care plan can be an integral part of this journey towards healing. Making time for ourselves and prioritising self-care can feel challenging, but it is an investment in our overall well-being. 

Activities such as deep breathing exercises, mindfulness meditation, yoga, or taking a soothing bath can provide a sense of calm and relaxation. Another self-care practice could include writing in a journal, seeking professional help through therapy, or joining a support group.

These activities can help to soothe the mind and body in times of stress and anxiety. By making self-care a regular part of our routine, we can create a safe space for ourselves to heal and flourish. 

It is essential to remember that everyone is different and that what works for one individual may not work for another. Finding activities that bring us peace and relaxation is an excellent starting point in developing our self-care plans.

Spend time with people who bring you joy 

Trauma can be a deeply painful experience that can leave lasting emotional scars. But spending time with people who bring you joy can help you heal from that pain. 

This is because being around people who make you happy has been proven to boost your overall well-being and can even increase your body’s production of happy hormones like endorphins and oxytocin. 

When you spend time with people who love and support you, you feel more connected and less alone, which can help to alleviate feelings of anxiety and depression that often accompany trauma. 

It’s important to surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you, people who make you laugh and feel loved. So if you’re feeling overwhelmed by the aftermath of trauma, consider reaching out to loved ones who can help you heal and find joy again.

Exercise

Exercising can be a powerful tool to help heal from traumatic experiences. With the release of endorphins and other feel-good chemicals, exercising has been proven to have a positive impact on mental health. 

It can reduce anxiety and stress levels, as well as decrease symptoms of depression. Additionally, physical activity has been linked to improving cognitive function and boosting self-esteem. 

By engaging in regular exercise, individuals who have experienced trauma gain a sense of empowerment and control over their bodies, which can be a crucial step in the healing process. 

It’s important to remember that exercise should always be approached with care and consideration of one’s individual needs, especially when dealing with trauma. But with the right support and guidance, exercise can be a valuable tool in moving towards healing from trauma and a healthier and happier life.

Get in touch with us

A mental health professional can provide the tools and support necessary to work through the trauma and create a path towards healing.

It is essential to find a therapist who specialises in trauma and has experience working with individuals who have undergone similar experiences. 

Claimont Health’s team of mental health professionals help people from across the UK heal from trauma every day. Get in touch today to see how they can help you.