Overcoming Trauma: Finding Light in the Darkness

Reading Time: 2 min

What is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional response to a terrifying and dangerous event, which threatens and harms an individual’s well-being, safety, or even life. Traumatic events include experiences like accidents, abuse, violence, natural disasters, war, or the loss of a loved one.

Trauma can take many forms:

  • Acute trauma: Exposure to A single traumatic event like an accident, natural disaster, assault, or loss of a loved one.
  • Complex trauma: Repeated exposure to traumatic events over a long period, e.g., childhood abuse, domestic violence, war.
  • Secondary trauma: Witnessing trauma happen to another person or as the trauma is experienced collectively/by a group of people. Common in first responders, crisis workers, and therapists.
  • Generational trauma: Trauma passed through generations. Includes events like genocide, slavery, and forced relocation.

The Impact/symptoms of Trauma Can Be Severe

The wounds of trauma run deep. They can persist for years and include symptoms like:

  • Severe anxiety, especially hypervigilance, and exaggerated startle response
  • Flashbacks, nightmares, intrusive memories
  • Depression and difficulty feeling positive emotions
  • Insomnia or sleep disturbances
  • Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships
  • Physical symptoms like nausea, rapid heartbeat, sweating

According to the National Council for Mental Health, 70% of adults in the U.S. have experienced some traumatic event in their lifetime at least once. In addition, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, 61% of men and 51% of women have reported experiencing at least one traumatic event in their lives.

The Road to Healing

While trauma changes you forever, it does not have to define you. The path to healing requires professional support, courage, and a commitment to self-care. Help is absolutely available; you simply have to take that first brave step to ask for it.

  • Speaking with a trauma-informed therapist or counselor allows you to process memories, develop coping strategies, and find your own strength and resilience.
  • Group therapy or support groups provide a connection with others who share your experiences.
  • Mind-body practices like yoga, meditation, art, or music therapy help regulate emotions and connect with a sense of inner peace.

There will be setbacks, but through compassion and perseverance, you can overcome trauma to live a life filled with hope, meaning, and deep relationships. You deserve to feel joy again—and there are so many resources ready to help you on your journey of healing and growth. Please ask for help right away. Happiness awaits, and the world needs your light. There is so much hope and healing ahead!

PILAR THOMPKINS

Autor

PILAR THOMPKINS

As an LCPC (Licensed Clinical Professional Counselor) and member of the American Counseling Association (ACA), Pilar Thompkins is a psychotherapist with a passion for helping others achieve wellness.

Protect Your Heart and Health: The Importance of Getting a Flu Shot

Protect Your Heart and Health: The Importance of Getting a Flu Shot

Flu vs. Common Cold vs. COVID‑19: How to Tell the Difference This Fall

Understanding What a Weight Management Program Involves

Understanding What a Weight Management Program Involves

Strengthen Your Relationship with Couples Counseling

Strengthen Your Relationship with Couples Counseling

Overcoming Trauma: Finding Light in the Darkness

Overcoming Trauma: Finding Light in the Darkness

Holiday Blues: How to Manage, When to Seek Help

Holiday Blues: How to Manage, When to Seek Help

Understanding ADHD: What You Need to Know

Understanding ADHD: What You Need to Know

Introduction to Stress and Its Impact on Health

Introduction to Stress and Its Impact on Health

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

STD Awareness: Popular Questions, Advice, Treatments

STD Awareness: Popular Questions, Advice, Treatments

See Your Doctor from the Comfort of Your Home

See Your Doctor from the Comfort of Your Home

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

Flu Season Is Here: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Flu Season Is Here: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

The Importance of Well-Baby Care

The Importance of Well-Baby Care

Should I Be Tested for COVID-19?

Should I Be Tested for COVID-19?

How Suboxone Works to Treat Opioid Addiction

How Suboxone Works to Treat Opioid Addiction

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

10 Home Remedies for Strep Throat Symptoms

10 Home Remedies for Strep Throat Symptoms

What are Anger Issues?

What are Anger Issues?

Understanding Anxiety: What Is It?

Understanding Anxiety: What Is It?

Common Viruses in Children: 7 Infections Kids Pick Up at School

Common Viruses in Children: 7 Infections Kids Pick Up at School

Tips for a Stress-Free and Enjoyable Holiday Season

Tips for a Stress-Free and Enjoyable Holiday Season

12 Common Illnesses that Peak in the Fall 

12 Common Illnesses that Peak in the Fall 

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

The Differences Between Flu and COVID-19

The Differences Between Flu and COVID-19

Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Dizziness: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment

Essential Screenings for Women’s Health Exams

Essential Screenings for Women’s Health Exams

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

Can Therapy Save My Marriage?

Can Therapy Save My Marriage?

Strep Throat Season: When to See a Doctor

Staying hydrated is just as important in fall and winter as it is in summer!

Staying hydrated is just as important in fall and winter as it is in summer!

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

Secondary Trauma: Help Others, Protect Yourself

Secondary Trauma: Help Others, Protect Yourself

How Can You Ease Back-to-School Anxiety and Stress?

How Can You Ease Back-to-School Anxiety and Stress?

Noncardiac Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments 

Noncardiac Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments 

9 Tips to Live a Healthy Lifestyle – And Why It’s Important

9 Tips to Live a Healthy Lifestyle – And Why It’s Important

What is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?

What is Pink Eye (Conjunctivitis)?

Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment for All Disorders

Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment for All Disorders

New Year’s Cholesterol Control: Top 5 Tips

New Year’s Cholesterol Control: Top 5 Tips

Top 10 Tips to Manage Blood Pressure & Prevent Hypertension

Top 10 Tips to Manage Blood Pressure & Prevent Hypertension

How To Deal With Pet Allergies: Tips and Tricks

How To Deal With Pet Allergies: Tips and Tricks

Your Complete Guide to Men’s Health Screenings by Ages

Your Complete Guide to Men’s Health Screenings by Ages

Getting Help for Your Anger Issues

Getting Help for Your Anger Issues

5 Signs Your Anxiety is Problematic

5 Signs Your Anxiety is Problematic

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health, Anxiety, and Depression

Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health, Anxiety, and Depression

The Importance of Self-Care In Managing Stress

The Importance of Self-Care In Managing Stress

How to Know if You Have an Urgent Care Need

How to Know if You Have an Urgent Care Need

What is Common Cold?

What is Common Cold?

How Setting Goals Can Positively Impact Our Mental Health

How Setting Goals Can Positively Impact Our Mental Health

What STD Tests Should I Consider?

What STD Tests Should I Consider?

We'll text you

Enter your info and we’ll text you shortly.

By clicking Send, I agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use, and I consent to receiving text messages from this practice acknowledging that data rates may apply. Message frequency varies.