Complex trauma can leave deep emotional scars, but with dedication and support, healing is possible. Identifying the signs of complex trauma is the first step in embarking on the journey towards recovery. Remember, healing is not linear, and it may take time to address the wounds left by complex trauma fully. With the help of professional therapy, self-compassion, and a strong support network, it is possible to reclaim your life and build a future free from the shackles of the past. You deserve healing, and you are not alone in this journey.
What is it?
Trauma can come in various forms, and its impact on individuals can be deep and long-lasting. Complex trauma, also known as complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), is a unique type of trauma that arises from repeated and prolonged exposure to traumatic events. Unlike single-event traumas, such as car accidents or natural disasters, complex trauma typically stems from ongoing abuse, neglect, or interpersonal trauma, often experienced during childhood or over an extended period in adulthood. In this blog post, we will explore complex trauma, discuss how to identify if you may have experienced it, and explore essential steps to begin the journey of healing.
How does one experience Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma occurs when individuals are subjected to multiple and chronic traumas, often in relationships where they feel powerless or trapped. These experiences can include physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, or living in a chaotic and unpredictable environment. The impact of complex trauma goes beyond the effects of individual traumatic events, leading to significant disruptions in the development of an individual’s identity, self-worth, and ability to form healthy relationships.
How do I identify Complex Trauma within myself or potentially a friend?
1. You find yourself craving connection with others yet you find your behaviours & thoughts are causing you to drive connection further away.
2. An inability to understand your own needs in your life, what you need to feel attuned to the world around you. This tends to cause you to not know what to ask for from your partner, friends, and family when support is available for your needs to be met.
3. A lack of trust in the world around you including your friends, family, loved one (partner in relationship) and even a lack of trust within yourself. This tends to erode a felt sense of safety around you and within your body, leaving you often thinking negatively about people, even if you are in a relationship with them. You tend to think that their behaviour is driven by how negatively they think of you.
4. An inability to set boundaries and say no to others, overall a lack of autonomy you feel in your life. You tend to value others above yourself, if someone asks something of you, you tend to say yes to it even if you don’t have the capacity for it out of fear that if you say no, you’ll be abandoned or punished. Even though you crave autonomy for your own life, you struggle to obtain it.
5. Feeling like your heart is often closed off in relationships and an inability to freely express yourself to practise self-love and show love to others in your life.
7. Your emotions tend to be numbed and life in itself tends to be numbed.
How to start your Healing & Growth Process
Healing from complex trauma is a journey that requires time, patience, and professional support. Here are some essential steps to begin the healing process:
1. Seek Professional Help: A registered counsellor experienced in trauma therapy can play a crucial role in guiding you through the healing process. Therapies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) have shown efficacy in treating complex trauma.
2. Educate Yourself: Learning about complex trauma can empower you to understand your experiences and reactions better. There are numerous books, articles, and online resources available that can provide valuable insights into trauma and recovery.
3. Practice Self-Compassion: Be gentle with yourself during the healing journey. Understand that healing takes time and setbacks are normal. Embrace self-compassion and remind yourself that you are deserving of healing and happiness. Tara Brach has some amazing resources on radical compassion for oneself, especially during your journey through your healing and growth.
4. Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with understanding and empathetic individuals who can support your healing process. This could include friends, family, or support groups of people who have experienced similar traumas.
5. Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques: Practising mindfulness and grounding techniques can help manage overwhelming emotions and bring you back to the present moment during times of distress.
6. Engage in Creative Expression: Art, writing, music, or other creative outlets can be powerful tools for expressing and processing emotions that may be difficult to put into words.
7. Physical Well-Being: Prioritise your physical health by adopting a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and getting enough rest. Physical well-being is interconnected with emotional well-being.
- Seek Professional Help: A registered counsellor experienced in trauma therapy can play a crucial role in guiding you through the healing process. Therapies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT), NeuroAffective Relational Model (NARM), Internal Family Systems (IFS), and Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) have shown efficacy in treating complex trauma.
- Educate Yourself: Learning about complex trauma can empower you to understand your experiences and reactions better. There are numerous books, articles, and online resources available that can provide valuable insights into trauma and recovery.
- Practice Self-Compassion: Be gentle with yourself during the healing journey. Understand that healing takes time and setbacks are normal. Embrace self-compassion and remind yourself that you are deserving of healing and happiness. Tara Brach has some amazing resources on radical compassion for oneself, especially during your journey through your healing and growth.
- Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with understanding and empathetic individuals who can support your healing process. This could include friends, family, or support groups of people who have experienced similar traumas.
- Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques: Practising mindfulness and grounding techniques can help manage overwhelming emotions and bring you back to the present moment during times of distress.
- Engage in Creative Expression: Art, writing, music, or other creative outlets can be powerful tools for expressing and processing emotions that may be difficult to put into words.
- Physical Well-Being: Prioritise your physical health by adopting a balanced diet, engaging in regular exercise, and getting enough rest. Physical well-being is interconnected with emotional well-being.