Have you experienced a tragedy that feels like it remains at your heels? Have you been through verbal, physical, sexual or spiritual abuse? Were you a victim of bullying? Did you suffer through a natural disaster, combat, car accidents or sporting accidents? Have you experienced medical traumas or witnessed others being victimized? Did you go through an abusive marital relationship or witness one as a child?
Trauma affects us – even in ways we aren’t able to realize. So many people tend to think as though their trauma or suffering isn’t horrible enough. The experience of trauma is determined by the perception of the individual and varies greatly from person to person – even within a family.
Often times, survivors have a sense that past events are somehow at the root of their pain but are unable to definitively get past those events. When the thoughts and feelings associated with the event linger they can overwhelm our normal ability to cope and can have lasting, detrimental effects on us. The reason is that these difficult events become encoded in such a way that they continue to feel like they are happening. These experiences can lead to physical illnesses, symptoms or triggers.
Many emotional problems can result from trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), dissociative disorders, phobias, anxiety disorders, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorders, oppositional defiant disorder, and more. Many people suffer for years – even decades – with suicidal drives, self-mutilation, flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks, terrible insecurities, and a sense of inferiority.
It is a tragic reality that many people live with the ongoing pain that cripples their ability to trust, to forgive, to receive love, or even believing oneself to be worthy of love. It robs them of the true freedom to embrace a life of faith, hope, and love.
But, there is more to life than just surviving! Freedom is possible.
Survivors of trauma are many times wary of undergoing trauma therapy, but the new-found healing with the help of a counselor trained in trauma therapy will open the doors for growth and integration that many survivors never thought could be possible. With the self newly discovered or recovered, it is a path of hope that opens out before people after treatment.
Those suffering from trauma can live free of the hurts from the past and grow in their trust of themselves so that they can live the fullest life possible.
Happily, there is always more that God has in store for us as we grow more fully into His image and likeness.
Margaret Vasquez is not in private practice. She has graciously submitted this article to be published on CatholicTherapists.com.
- Overcoming Traumatic Events: Living In The Freedom Of The Love Perspective - September 7, 2017
- Freedom Awaits After Traumatic Experiences - September 6, 2016
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