The Desire to Escape Behind Dissociation and Trauma – How to Find Relief
How tempting it is to pretend the past never happened. It is where all those painful memories were created.
The past may be home to traumatic experiences that continue to impact you. If so, you are far from alone. Seven out of ten Americans have experienced a traumatic event at one point in their lives. And some 90 percent of people seeking mental health treatment have undergone some form of trauma. Many of these folks struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Common Examples of Trauma
Childhood trauma is the most common and can have the deepest impact on your life. These events are called Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACES), and some examples include:
An incarcerated relative within the household
Substance abuse within the household
Physical and/or emotional neglect
Mental illness within the household
Household divorce
A mother being treated violently
Physical and/or emotional and/or sexual abuse
Research has found that individuals who have endured at least four of these ACES have a 1200 percent higher risk of attempted suicide. On a lesser, but still severe level, traumatic experiences can shape your life well into adulthood.
Despite trauma being so common, there is still a tendency to lean on unhealthy coping mechanisms.
How Trauma Impacts Your Everyday Life
Anxiety
Panic attacks
Depression
Sleep disturbances
Loss of appetite
Weight gain or loss
Isolation and withdrawal
Hyper-vigilance
Nightmares
Flashbacks
Dissociation
Needless to say, this is not a pleasant list of symptoms and outcomes. Let’s focus on one—dissociation—as an example.
It is not unusual for someone with PTSD to disconnect from what they feel, think, and sense. It's a means to escape fear and memories. And as this dissociation occurs, it can actually feel like protection.
In the end, though, it is not the relief you seek and need. To get that requires you to be very present in your life.
Finding Relief From Trauma
Resist Unhealthy Coping Mechanisms
As tempting as it may be, self-medication (substance abuse) and engaging in reckless behaviors will not do anything except create further problems. Also, it is understandable to fear social interactions or intimate relationships because you worry about being re-traumatized. But maintaining your connection with others is an invaluable tool for relief.
Add Structure to Your Life
Create routines. Spend time doing “normal” things with people you trust. Try to get into a steady sleep pattern. These ideas and others like them can cultivate a vibe of calmness in your everyday life. There is so much out of your control, why not grasp tightly onto what you can indeed influence? Take back some power!
Embrace Sensory/Mindful Solutions
These may include:
Meditation
Deep breathing
Weighted blanket
Surge of positive thinking
Bursts of laughter
Helping someone else (or a pet)
Connect with others (or groups) who have also experienced trauma
While these things may seem "simple" or "trivial," each little step propels you forward on your journey to relief. Don't dismiss that! And the best thing is that you can implement them without a lot of fuss.
Therapy Has a Proven Track Record
A major obstacle to finding relief from trauma is a reluctance to talk about what you’ve endured. Therapy provides you with a safe space to share, explore, and heal with the help of a skilled and compassionate guide.
You will not get a one-size-fits-all approach. Rather, counseling is all about assessing and addressing your unique needs.
This process will involve:
Recognizing symptoms
Identifying triggers
Developing healthy coping skills
De-stressing
Working on short-term and long-term approaches
Forming new relationships
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True, dealing with trauma is hard. And living with unresolved trauma can amplify its negative impact. However, in a supportive environment, relief can and will be found. Recovery can and will happen. And self-love will return into your day-to-day life.
The first step is yours to take. If you would like help, we are here for you. All you have to do is make that phone call and start your journey of healing and learning about trauma treatment.