When asked to define “trauma”, many people who don’t work in the healing community often think of it more of what we call “shock trauma”. This can be a one off traumatic event such as a car crash, rape or mugging. However it is important that the broader concept of trauma is also understood by […]
The body responds to threat using a response called fight-or-flight. This is also known as the acute stress response. This terminology describes the body’s physiological reaction to something that is extremely physically or mentally frightening.
Being able to set and understand boundaries is vital in recovery from trauma. Boundaries are what allow us to have a sense of who and what we are. They give us the ability to see how we differ from other people, emotionally, spiritually, physically and intellectually. They exist to protect us.
Staying present is one of the biggest challenges for those trying to recover from trauma. Triggers and flashbacks from events in the past can drag you out of reality and back into a world that no longer exists. However, there are ways to train your brain to stay present instead of torturing you with the past.
Do you feel like you are not only minimising your trauma, but also the progress you are making in recovering from it? This can be damaging both to you and to your recovery.
Do you feel like you spend a lot of your time worrying about how you are perceived by others? Do you often feel “less than”, or over-analyse each of your words and actions once you have left a situation? If you feel like this, it’s very possible that you are suffering from low self esteem that could be attributed to your trauma.
Recovery is a lifelong process, and sometimes the journey is ever-twisting, with no predictable road in sight. For many people, role models are considered an excellent way to strive towards their goals in recovery – by following someone who has gone through similar experiences and has been successful in recovery, you too can look at […]
One of the amazing aspects of human life is that we have such unique, diverse ways of healing and restoration. For some, music provides a soothing, ritualized harmony that mirrors peace and serenity in the back of their mind. For others, writing provides a compelling opportunity to reflect on past grievances and achieve new insights. […]
Therapy is a space for you to learn more about yourself and make sense of your experiences. Many people with addictions and/or mental illnesses – even just regular, everyday problems – benefit from therapy because it allows them to take a step back and gain perspective on issues that may seem to overwhelm them. If […]
Have you ever had a lot on your mind, to where it seemed like your thoughts were going a mile a minute? Perhaps you were stressed or anxious, and worried about something that happened in the past or could happen in the future. When our thoughts take hold of us, it can feel as though […]
