How can you help people develop a sense of control after a traumatic experience?

Uma funcionária compartilhou comigo o trauma que vivenciou após um assalto dentro da empresa, uma experiência apavorante que desencadeou intensas emoções. No entanto, ela encontrou uma maneira única de superar esse desafio, visto não poder pedir demissão. Ela decidiu trazer plantas para o ambiente de trabalho e transformou completamente aquelas imagens trágicas que voltava em sua mente. Embora possa não ser viável para todos levar plantas para o ambiente de trabalho e nem mesmo ser a única solução, é importante refletir sobre como podemos dar um novo significado ou propósito a situações desafiadoras. Pense ações que podem transformar seu ambiente e a situação traumática! Se cuide!

Always offer choice, and always obtain consent. Trauma is inherently about loss of control in the face of a terrible event. An important element of recovery is regaining this sense of control. To help someone regain a sense of control, you must GIVE them control. Offer choice. Let them choose whatever is reasonable for them to choose: Where and when to meet, what to eat/drink, whether or not to talk about a particular topic, whether or not they want to be hugged, whether or not they'd like you to follow up with them. Focus on giving choice, on growing their sense of personal power and autonomy, and you will go a long way toward helping the other person begin healing.

Overcoming emotional trauma can be a challenging and individual process, and what works for one person may not be effective for another. Acknowledging your pains and accepting them is important. In this sense, talking to trusted friends or family about what happened can be an effective way to ease the emotional burden of traumatic events.

Everyone handles trauma in differing ways. In essence however, the body handles trauma in exactly the same way for each experience. I'm a firm believer in electrical energy/negative energy being locked away inside the amygdala following traumatic events. We lock away emotions and direct memories into our body and musculature which become stuck. These electrical charges can plague our body with symptoms from IBS, migraines, phantom pain, auto immune diseases and much more. My style of therapy helps open up the subconscious to be able to access those locked feelings and emotions, redistributing the locked energy up and out of the body. This helps give you mental clarity, focus and let's you process the trauma gently and peacefully in time

Trauma freezes most people. Kindness is a great medicine for healing the effects of trauma. Acknowledging the impact and being kind to yourself creates a massive difference. Meditation, inner child work and Energy healing techniques can help you go beyond the effects of trauma. Please get in touch if you require more details.

Sometimes just showing up and being there is enough when someone is going through the most..it's alright to not say anything. Providing options for experienced help is also important

If you feel like you are at that time when you don’t want anyone near you always know that there is someone with you right where you are because in real truth we are never really alone. Start saying how you feel even when there is no one physically listening to you. Acknowledge that by venture of you not being able to control what happened someone somewhere has the power to do so and allowed it that way. Now look for a way to live to the next day.

Trauma as a subject area is absolutely huge, and so diverse in how people experience and move on from it all. Its really not possible to capture it all in one article !!! Seeking appropriate support is key, safe and trustworthy human to human connection is vital in your process of moving forwards. I believe in safety and stability first, psychologically speaking, before 'working through' any trauma, in the capable hands of a qualified and competent therapist.

One thing I find that helps above all else is prayer. Pray to God for peace in the midst of the storm. Pray for strength to overcome the pain. Pray for grace to stay hopeful. Pray for God's mercy to heal the wounds and for his love to embrace you. As you pray, God's light will shine on your soul and he will empower you to do all of the amazing suggestions made here.

Talking with others is incredibly important. Vocalising what we are experiencing following a traumatic experience helps the brain to process what has happened. Talking to others who were involved in the same situation can help with normalisation of experiences. Try not to withdraw from support or isolate yourself, you may feel that no one understands what you have been through, or what you are feeling, but this is not the truth. Family and friends will want to support and help you, let them know how you are feeling. If you have Trauma Risk Management (TRiM) practitioners at work, talk to them as they can help normalise your thoughts and feelings, and offer advice on where to receive more support, such as from a medical professional.

Taking action can come in small steps and should be directed towards something other than significant shifts. Small wins and daily progress can also help you feel more confident and resilient.

Taking action looks different for everyone. Depending on the traumatic experience, rest might be the very action that needs to be taken. Continuing to pour from an empty cup can set you back. As a young stroke survivor, it was what I needed most and didn’t realize. Start by going within and pausing for just a moment before jump starting yourself back into reality. It’s ok to start at 0 and work your way up.

For me taking action is more about returning to your normal daily routine rather than big changes such as new job or moving home. Such large things can bring stressors of their own so it’s important to weigh up any big changes. Getting back into your normal routine and ensuring you do the things you enjoy is important. You may not feel like it initially, but getting back into hobbies, and the things you enjoy will help release endorphins as well as helping your brain process what’s happened. Practice self-care, eating well, getting fresh air and moving, but also try to avoid using alcohol or other negative coping mechanisms, as these can hinder rather than help.

Meaning and purpose are strong drivers of positive wellbeing. Finding meaning in what happened may not come soon after an event, or on its own, but will likely come through following the strategies above. You may find that from your experience you want to help others. This may be through advocating or becoming a volunteer, or following the footsteps of someone who helped you, a peer supporter for example. You may find sharing your experience to help others is where you find meaning, or in charity work to help others. Equally, meaning can be found through artistic ways; writing, painting, or other craft. Some find journaling helps to bring the same feelings of positivity and gratitude.

A key way to find meaning after a traumatic experience is to create a routine out of everyday activities. Go back to basics and focus on simple tasks like doing the laundry, cleaning out the closet, preparing a meal. These tasks must not be focused on the mechanics of just doing it but how they make you feel and benefit others. For example, how does it make you feel to prepare a tasty meal and how will others feel knowing you've provided for them? Routine tasks are underrated in the recovery process.

Yep, meaning is crucial. Often it takes little more than a useful reframe. This event isn't the whole book of your life, it's just a chapter. Turn the page, finish the story, and show us how you used it for something bigger than you.

Indeed, deriving meaning from traumatic experiences and channeling that understanding into constructive avenues has been a cornerstone in managing my own PTSD issues. By reflecting on the growth and learning that emerged from those challenging times, I have been able to foster a sense of empowerment and hope. Also, extending support to others who have endured similar challenges has not only been rewarding but also a significant step in my healing journey. This approach has significantly aided in envisioning a hopeful future, setting new goals, and engaging in new opportunities which, in turn, has instilled a sense of positivity and inspiration.

One thing I have found helpful is to talk to myself or write out my emotions. Acknowledge your experience, your pain, and remind yourself that this too shall pass. Express yourself is ways that remind you of when you felt free. Get moving, get fresh air, and regain a sense of control by realizing that we only have control so much.

More importantly give yourself the same grace you would show others. Avoid toxic positivity for the sake of acceptance. Being flexible and adaptable after trauma is a learning opportunity. Place one foot in front of the other and intentionally strive to look ahead. Be open to new things based on where you would like to see yourself going.

Acceptance is a powerful skill that should be part of your emotional strategy. No matter the circumstance, practicing acceptance will help you build resilience and guide you through difficult times. Learning to let go of what you can’t control and putting that energy into what you can. Nothing happens by mistake. The universe is setting you up right where you need to be, preparing you for what is next. I used to resist what I couldn’t control, which only made life more difficult. A broken marriage, my brothers suicide, infidelity, abuse, job loss, others opinions.. Once I stopped resisting, processing these situations became part of my story and who I am today, rather than a question of why with feelings of resentment.

Trauma often results in feelings of powerlessness. To heal, one must regain a sense of control, and philosophy offers insights for this journey. Stoicism: Stoic philosophers like Epictetus believed we control our reactions, not our circumstances. “We cannot choose our external circumstances, but we can always choose how we respond to them.” Post-trauma, this means accepting what we cannot change and controlling our reactions to regain agency. Existentialism: Philosophers like Viktor Frankl emphasized creating meaning in life, even amidst suffering. For trauma survivors, finding new purpose can turn their experience into personal growth. Using philosophy, trauma survivors can find paths to empowerment and healing.

I’m a proponent of approaching trauma in such a way that it completely loses hold of the person. Take all the time you need. Go at your pace. The process of healing for me is the time to build a strong psyche in anticipation of the time of confrontation. How does this work? The body responds the same to trauma be it real or simulated. So, when you are ready, in a safe and controlled environment, confrontation will happen so you find out that the experience no longer has any hold over you.

The first thing that goes off the rails after a traumatic incident is one's health. When my mother died when I was 25, my eating was terrible and I often overate or under-ate, trying to process what had happened. I drank an enormous amount, trying to numb the pain I was in. I couldn't sleep at night due to nightmares. So I stumbled into staying up all night and watching tv all day. But I couldn't get away from my pain - I could only go through it. Granted, I also had a mountain of trauma to work on - but it took a long time to get my health on track and get serious counseling. So I always tell folks - don't deny your body & mind the fuel & support it needs during these times of stress. Eat - rest - hydrate - stretch - be good to yourself.