Growing out of Trauma

06/13/2022

Some people are afraid to heal because they have made their identity around their trauma. They don't know who they are outside of that trauma and the unknown can be scary.

Oftentimes people have some form of trauma, abuse, emotional damage, etc. that was experienced a long time ago but it was repressed because at that time they were not in a place where they could heal it. This is when their trauma can reappear randomly or when it is triggered.

People who have experienced trauma may have post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD). The main difference between the two is that in CPTSD you experience symptoms of PTSD (isolation, flashbacks, anxiety, nightmares, insomnia, etc.) along with additional symptoms. Those additional symptoms can include difficulty gaining control over your emotions, feeling upset/angry, having distrust towards others, and more.

Post-traumatic growth (PTG) is a transformation of healing that can follow trauma. It can be attained through education, emotional regulation, disclosure, development and service. While some may seek help to achieve this, others are able to process it on their own. If you have experienced trauma and are working towards PTG, it may be beneficial to talk to someone about it- they might be able to give you the tools you need to heal.