Are You Managing Your Trauma Symptoms or Healing Them?
Trauma can leave a wide array of symptoms in its wake. From insomnia to flashbacks to attachment wounds, our trauma therapists have seen it all. It's very common for people who have trauma to white-knuckle it through life, thinking this is as good as it will get. But true relief can come with healing it. It's absolutely possible; we've seen it happen hundreds of times. But what does it mean to heal trauma? And how do you know which one you're doing?
The Difference Between Managing and Healing Trauma
Managing Trauma Symptoms
Managing trauma symptoms means coping to get through the day. This can include strategies like mindfulness, grounding techniques, and other forms of self-care to alleviate symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and emotional distress. It works in the short term, but it's a lot of work. After months and years of it, you're probably exhausted. It also doesn't do anything to make the future easier.
Trauma Resolution
Trauma resolution involves processing and healing the root causes of trauma so you no longer have to cope. This deeper level of healing goes beyond symptom management to resolve the underlying issues. When you are able to integrate the traumatic experiences into your life in a healthy way, you can release it.
How Trauma Therapy Can Help
Trauma therapy focuses on helping individuals understand and work through their traumatic experiences. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) is a specialized form of trauma therapy that helps reprocess traumatic memories. EMDR uses bilateral stimulation to help the brain reframe and integrate these memories. It reduces and eventually eliminates their emotional charge, leading to trauma resolution.
If Healing Trauma Is Possible, Why Don't More People Do It?
Healing trauma takes courage, time, and commitment. It means facing the worst things that have ever happened to you. For people who are struggling just to get through the day, this can be too tall an order.
But good trauma therapy doesn't just push you off a cliff without a parachute. Good trauma therapy starts with a period of building safety and resources so you feel ready to start the hard work. For some people this is a matter of weeks, and for some it takes many months.
You can read more about what resourcing looks like in EMDR therapy here.
Healing Trauma with EMDR Therapy v. Managing Symptoms: A Tale of Two Individuals
Managing Car Accident Trauma Symptoms: Sarah's Story
Sarah experienced a terrifying car accident that left her with significant trauma. Since the accident, she has been gripped by anxiety whenever she tries to drive. The thought of getting behind the wheel causes her heart to race and her palms to sweat. Despite trying various coping mechanisms, her anxiety persists. It significantly impacts her daily life. She avoids driving whenever possible, relying on others for transportation and feeling trapped by her fear.
Sarah's trauma has seeped into other areas of her life. She's become more irritable and less social. She often finds herself ruminating about the accident, which disrupts her sleep and leaves her feeling exhausted. The constant state of anxiety affects her work performance, and she struggles to concentrate on tasks. Although she is managing her trauma symptoms, the quality of her life has diminished significantly. She doesn't know how much longer she can keep going.
Healing Trauma: Emma's Journey
Emma also experienced a frightening car accident, but her recovery took a different path. After the accident, she sought help from an EMDR therapist. Through EMDR therapy, Emma worked through her trauma in a structured and gentle environment. EMDR helped her reprocess the traumatic memories, reducing their emotional charge. She wouldn't have believed you if you told her a few months ago that she'd be able to think about the accident and not feel distress.
Gradually, Emma's anxiety about driving decreased. She began to drive short distances, slowly rebuilding her confidence. With each successful trip, her anxiety lessened, and she regained her independence. EMDR not only helped Emma overcome her fear of driving but also had a positive impact on other aspects of her life.
The Broader Benefits of EMDR
For Emma, the benefits of EMDR extended beyond driving. She noticed an improvement in her overall anxiety levels and self compassion. The techniques she learned in therapy helped her manage stress better. She became more resilient in the face of life's challenges. EMDR therapy also enhanced her relationships, as she was more present and less preoccupied with traumatic thoughts. Her sleep improved, and she found herself more energized and productive at work.
In contrast, Sarah's ongoing anxiety continued to affect her personal and professional life. Without addressing the root of her trauma, she struggled with persistent stress and its associated symptoms. Her reluctance to drive limited her freedom and placed a strain on her relationships. The unresolved trauma remained a barrier to her overall well-being.
Benefits of EMDR Therapy
Reduces Emotional Distress. EMDR can significantly reduce the emotional distress associated with traumatic memories.
Improves Cognitive Functioning. When all your bandwidth isn't been zapped by anxiety and trauma, your thought process is clearer. By reprocessing traumatic memories, EMDR can help improve mental clarity and reduce negative thought patterns.
Enhances Coping Skills. EMDR can enhance overall coping skills by addressing the root causes of trauma, allowing for more effective management of symptoms.
How To Get Started Healing Your Trauma
Find A Trauma Therapist You Feel You Can Build Trust With. We know for trauma survivors, trust doesn't come easily. You shouldn't blindly trust the first therapist you meet in the first session. Give it some time. Consulting with a trauma-informed therapist can help you determine the best approach for your needs.
Consider EMDR. If you have persistent trauma symptoms, EMDR might be a suitable option for deeper healing. Ask an EMDR therapist if they think you're a good candidate.
Work on believing you deserve to live trauma-free. One of the nastiest symptoms of trauma is feeling like you deserve to live in pain or agony because of what happened. Please know that you deserve to feel better. Some traumas leave behind what is called a "moral injury." These wounds run deep, but they can be healed with good trauma therapy.
Commit to the Process. Achieving trauma resolution requires commitment and consistency. It's okay if it's hard and some weeks you have more energy or courage than others.
Trauma and EMDR Therapy In San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Throughout California and Florida
While managing trauma symptoms can provide immediate relief, trauma resolution offers a deeper, more lasting healing. Trauma therapy, particularly EMDR, can help you move from merely managing symptoms to fully resolving trauma.
If you're ready to take the next step towards healing, schedule your free consultation today. Let us help you start your journey towards trauma resolution and a calmer, more fulfilling life.
