Thriving from Trauma

You have a hunch…

Something is holding you back… and that “something” is your past.

Maybe you’ve felt frustrated… by yourself! Or you’ve said to yourself, “I just keep getting in my own way.”

The same patterns keep playing out. You’re left wondering WHY you keep making the same decisions, doing the same things, and hanging around the same people you KNOW aren’t good for you.

It’s obvious, but sometimes we lose sight of the fact that our past caregivers and experiences have a LOT to do with how we operate in the world today.

Let’s take a look…

Trauma comes in many forms.

Acute trauma…

This type of trauma arises from single, highly stressful events like car accidents, natural disasters, or witnessing violence. Even though the event may be brief, its impact can be long-lasting, leading to symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, hypervigilance, etc.

Chronic trauma…

Chronic trauma results from ongoing or repeated traumatic experiences like abuse (physical, sexual, or emotional), domestic violence, or enduring poverty. Living in a constant state of fear and uncertainty can take a toll on your physical and mental health, leading to conditions like chronic pain, anxiety, depression, etc.

Complex trauma…

Complex trauma is characterized by prolonged exposure to multiple traumatic events, often occurring during childhood. This can include experiences like childhood abuse or neglect, domestic violence, sexual assault, or being criticized or neglected by caregivers. Complex trauma can have far-reaching effects on our sense of self, our relationships, and our ability to trust ourselves or others, etc.

No matter its source…

The effects of trauma can be profound and far-reaching, seeping into every aspect of your life and shaping how you view yourself and the world around you.

Before going any further, let’s thank the part of you that helped you survive trauma. It takes strength, resilience, and courage to keep moving forward.

But survival often comes at a cost.

You may find yourself stuck in patterns of avoidance or numbing, unable to fully engage with life or form deep connections with others.

You may struggle with overwhelming emotions or physical symptoms with no clear cause.

Survival may get you through the worst of times, but it can leave you feeling trapped in a cycle of pain and disconnection that resurfaces when triggered.

Unaddressed trauma can affect every aspect of your life.

Emotional well-being…

Unresolved trauma can leave us feeling overwhelmed by intense emotions like fear, anger, shame, and sadness. We may struggle to regulate our emotions, leading to mood swings, outbursts, or emotional numbness.

Thought patterns…

Trauma can distort our perception of ourselves and the world around us, leading to negative thought patterns like self-blame, worthlessness, or a sense of being permanently damaged or flawed.

Behavioral choices…

Trauma can influence our behavior in subtle ways, leading to patterns of avoidance, self-sabotage, or risky behavior as we try to cope with overwhelming feelings of fear or anxiety.

Relationships…

Trauma can impact how we relate to others, making it difficult to trust, communicate, or form healthy attachments. We may find ourselves repeating patterns of dysfunction or withdrawing from relationships altogether.

Work and productivity…

Trauma can affect our ability to focus, concentrate, and perform effectively at work or in other areas of our lives. We may struggle with feelings of inadequacy or impostor syndrome, leading to decreased productivity and job satisfaction.