Have you been in a car accident or any situation that has caused you serious emotional pain? Going through a traumatic experience can impact various aspects of your well-being. In the aftermath of the event, you may experience periods of dissociation but in severe cases, trauma can lead to self-destructive behaviours such as self-harm and addiction.
The effects vary from person to person. A traumatic experience can hamper your hope of leading a better life and forming healthier relationships. Fortunately, it’s possible to get past the experience, reframe your mind, and find a more secure path. There is no quick solution to what you are dealing with right now, but there are ways to help you overcome the aftermath of a difficult experience:
Open up about what you feel
Your grief and your sadness are valid, so there is no shame in talking about your feelings with those who are close to you. Whether it’s a family member or a colleague at work, sharing your thoughts about the experience can help lessen the emotional baggage you carry. Not only that, but you also communicate your need for comfort and solace. Find a person you can trust and let them know how you are coping. They may be able to give words of encouragement and valuable advice to help you recover.
Lead an active lifestyle
Practicing self-care is important in the aftermath of an accident or any traumatic event. Exercising is often recommended for people with post-traumatic stress disorder. Exercise can potentially ease the symptoms of PTSD, including poor sleep quality, anxiety, and depression. Exercise helps produce endorphins which can help with restoring nervous functions and improve your recovery from psychological trauma. Apart from physical activities, you should take part in activities like art therapy which can help you find emotional closure through creative expression.
Find a support group
You are never alone in facing your emotional battle with trauma. Many others are feeling the same as a result of losing a loved one, suffering from a terminal disease, or surviving a dangerous situation. Apart from being involved in support group sessions, you can also join online communities where you can meet people across the world who are eager to help you cope. You can also reach out to local not-for-profit organizations or attend a church service that takes part in helping people like you find renewed hope.
Avoid isolating yourself
You may not be sociable, but staying socially involved plays a large part in helping you get past a traumatic experience. Isolating yourself will only deprive you of valuable help. It can also lead to a wide range of complications, including depression as well as drug and substance abuse. While there is nothing wrong with being with yourself when processing a traumatic event, you still need to be among people who can help bring back the cheer in your life and revitalise your confidence.
A traumatic event can happen to anyone, especially those who think they are emotionally strong. Knowing how to survive the psychological aftermath can help you come out stronger.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg.
