Understanding Trauma: A Guide for Beginners Breaking Down Trauma, Busting Myths, and Steps Toward Healing
Picture this: You stub your toe on the coffee table. It hurts. You rant about the betrayal of furniture for about five minutes. Then, you move on. That’s not trauma—though admittedly, very painful.
Trauma is much deeper. It’s an emotional and psychological response to distressing events, something that can shake a person’s sense of safety or self. It can stem from accidents, abuse, neglect, violence, or even events that seem small on the surface but leave a lasting impact. And trauma doesn’t have to come from one single moment; it can also build up over time.
What Exactly is Trauma?
At its core, trauma affects how we process emotions, memories, and our sense of self. It can leave people feeling overwhelmed, disconnected, anxious, or even physically unwell. Trauma can take different forms:
Acute Trauma: Results from a single distressing event (e.g., a car accident or sudden loss).
Chronic Trauma: Repeated exposure to distressing experiences (e.g., ongoing abuse or bullying).
Complex Trauma: A mix of traumatic events over time, often linked to relationships or deep emotional wounds.
Now, here’s the thing—trauma is not one-size-fits-all. Two people can experience the exact same situation but react completely differently. And that’s okay. There’s no “right” way to process trauma; what matters is learning to understand and heal from it.
Common Misconceptions About Trauma
Let’s bust some myths, shall we?
🚫 “Only extreme cases count as trauma.” Nope! Trauma can come from all kinds of experiences, not just the ones that make headlines.
🚫 “You should just get over it.” Healing doesn’t come with a deadline. Trauma recovery takes time, and forcing it usually backfires.
🚫 “If I don’t remember much, it probably didn’t affect me.” Ah, memory, the ultimate magician. Trauma can be stored in the body and subconscious mind, even if the details seem fuzzy.
🚫 “If I ignore it, it’ll go away.” While avoidance might seem like the easiest strategy, unprocessed trauma often shows up in unexpected ways—anxiety, emotional outbursts, and even physical symptoms.
🚫 “Only weak people are affected by trauma.” This is one of the worst myths out there. Trauma is a human experience, not a weakness. In fact, working through trauma takes incredible strength.
Steps Toward Healing
Healing from trauma isn’t about flipping a magical switch—it’s a journey. Here are some steps that can help:
1. Recognize and Accept
The first step in healing is acknowledging that trauma has had an impact. This doesn’t mean dwelling on pain, but rather recognizing your experiences and feelings without judgment.
2. Talk About It (When You’re Ready)
Whether it’s a trusted friend, therapist, or even journaling, expressing emotions can lighten the emotional load. No pressure—go at your own pace.
3. Learn About Trauma
Understanding how trauma affects the brain and body can be incredibly empowering. There’s science behind why we react the way we do, and education can help combat shame and confusion.
4. Self-Care Isn’t Just Bubble Baths
Eating well, sleeping enough, and engaging in activities that bring comfort are crucial. Sometimes healing starts with the simple act of taking care of yourself in small ways.
5. Therapy Can Help
Working with a therapist, especially one trained in trauma, can provide guidance tailored to your specific experiences. Different therapy approaches, such as Somatic Experiencing® (SE), Sensorimotor®, Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing® (EMDR), and Transforming Touch® (TT) are examples of somatic approaches that can help reprocess traumatic memories and regain regulation in your system.
6. Reconnect With Yourself
Trauma can make people feel like strangers to themselves and make you feel like you want to withdraw or isolate from others. Finding joy, hobbies, and small moments of peace can help rebuild self-trust. And slowly reconnecting with others can bring about resilience.
7. Healing Isn’t Linear
Some days will feel like major breakthroughs, and others might feel frustrating. It’s all part of the process, and progress doesn’t have to be perfect.
Final Thoughts
Trauma may shape a person, but it doesn’t have to define them. Healing is possible, even when it feels far away. Whether through small daily steps or deep emotional work, recovering from trauma is a journey of self-discovery, resilience, and care.
Oh, and if you do stub your toe while reading this—just remember, that pain will go away. 😉