How Do You Recover From Traumatic Events?

Most people will experience highly stressful events in their lifetimes but can cope with these challenges and move forward. But some events are so intensely stressful, scary, or shocking that they cause long-lasting emotional and physical symptoms. We call these “traumatic events” because they cause lingering effects of trauma that last long after the event.

How can you recover from traumatic events and move forward? In this article, we’ll discuss trauma and how to manage it.

What is a Traumatic Event?

Traumatic events are experiences that deeply scare people or make them feel like their lives are in danger. Some examples of traumatic events include:

• Sexual or physical assault

• Abuse

• Unplanned cesarean birth and other adverse birth outcomes

• Terrorist attacks

• Natural disasters like floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes

• Car crashes

• Mass shootings

• War

• Severe illness

• Incarceration

• Witnessing a death

Any highly distressing event that causes someone to feel physically unsafe can be traumatic. The effects of trauma include:

• Flashbacks or memories of the event

• Nightmares

• Isolation or withdrawal from everyday life

• Irritability

• Mood swings

• Anger

• Denial

• Difficulty with memory and concentration

• Insomnia

• Physical stress symptoms like nausea, muscle aches, and headache

• Anxiety

• Depression

Some people develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic event, and some do not. Mental health specialists don’t fully understand why people react differently to the same traumatic experiences. Treatment can help people cope with their trauma and move forward.

How Do You Recover From Traumatic Events?

Individual counseling is a critical aspect of recovering from traumatic events. A trained, experienced counselor can help you identify the source of your trauma, process your emotions around it, and help you develop new skills and routines that allow you to cope with it in healthy ways.

In addition to counseling, there are some things you can do to help manage the stress of traumatic events.

Support

Individual counseling can help you work through your stress and trauma and give you new skills to manage it. Other kinds of support are essential, too. Resist the urge to isolate. Spend time with friends and family–even if you don’t want to. Talk to people you trust about your feelings and experiences. Find a support group to connect with a community of people who understand and relate to your feelings.

Self-care

Real, meaningful self-care is more than just taking a bubble bath or lighting a scented candle occasionally. Taking care of yourself means being intentional about the way you nurture your mental, physical, and social health.

Eat regular, nutritious meals. Get some exercise every day–outdoors, if possible. Prioritize rest and sleep by limiting caffeine and maintaining a regular bedtime. Avoid using drugs and alcohol, and talk to your doctor if you believe you may have a substance use disorder.

Build a routine

Finding a new rhythm and routine can help you fill your time and maintain good self-care practices. Structure your day to include work, rest, and self-care as much as possible. Don’t make significant life changes, such as changing jobs or moving, in the time shortly after the traumatic event. Schedule regular counseling sessions and support group meetings to keep them from slipping through the cracks.

Find Denver Counseling Now

You don’t have to carry the weight of trauma alone. Find Denver counseling specialists who can help you recover from traumatic events by reaching out to the caring team at Elevated Counseling today.