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.

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

What to Know When Heart Disease Runs in Your Family

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

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

What is Common Cold?

What is Common Cold?

How To Deal With Pet Allergies: Tips and Tricks

How To Deal With Pet Allergies: Tips and Tricks

How to Cope with Chronic Illness During the Holiday Season

How to Cope with Chronic Illness During the Holiday Season

The Importance of Getting Your Women’s Health Screening

The Importance of Getting Your Women’s Health Screening

Work Injury? Get Evaluated and Plan Your Recovery

Work Injury? Get Evaluated and Plan Your Recovery

I Feel Constant Frustration: Can Anger Management Help?

I Feel Constant Frustration: Can Anger Management Help?

Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment for All Disorders

Comprehensive Mental Health Treatment for All Disorders

10 Critical Dehydration Signs & Prevention Tips

10 Critical Dehydration Signs & Prevention Tips

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

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

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

Depression and Sleep Problems: How Are They Connected?

What is Croup?

What is Croup?

How Often Should I Get a Physical?

How Often Should I Get a Physical?

The Top 7 Benefits of Choosing Telehealth for Your Family

Noncardiac Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments 

Noncardiac Chest Pain: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments 

Understanding Hepatitis B: Protecting Your Health and Future

Flu Season Is Here: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Flu Season Is Here: Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

Essential Screenings for Women’s Health Exams

Essential Screenings for Women’s Health Exams

Allergies in Kids: Symptoms & Treatment

Allergies in Kids: Symptoms & Treatment

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

Telehealth: The Advantages of Telemedicine

Are Your Immunizations Up-to-Date?

Are Your Immunizations Up-to-Date?

What Is the Difference Between Behavioral Health and Mental Health?

What Is the Difference Between Behavioral Health and Mental Health?

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of Urgent Care?

When Should I Go to the ER Instead of Urgent Care?

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

9 Ways to Boost Your Immunity This Fall

Top 10 Tips to Manage Blood Pressure & Prevent Hypertension

Top 10 Tips to Manage Blood Pressure & Prevent Hypertension

5 Signs Your Anxiety is Problematic

5 Signs Your Anxiety is Problematic

Can You Get Sick From The Flu Shot?

Can You Get Sick From The Flu Shot?

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

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

Home-Based Child Behavioral Disorder Help

Home-Based Child Behavioral Disorder Help

Marathon Running Safety: How to Train Safely

Marathon Running Safety: How to Train Safely

Your Complete Guide to Men’s Health Screenings by Ages

Your Complete Guide to Men’s Health Screenings by Ages

Effective Heat Rash Treatment and Prevention

Effective Heat Rash Treatment and Prevention

Why Relationships Are Key to Well-Being

Why Relationships Are Key to Well-Being

Sore Throat vs Strep Symptoms: How To Tell The Difference

Sore Throat vs Strep Symptoms: How To Tell The Difference

Understanding Your Options for Mental Health Treatment

Understanding Your Options for Mental Health Treatment

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

How Stress Can Increase Your Risk for Heart Disease

The Importance of Back-to-School Health Checks for Kids

The Importance of Back-to-School Health Checks for Kids

Baby’s First Year: Doctor Visit Schedule

Baby’s First Year: Doctor Visit Schedule

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

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

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

What is RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus)

The Importance of Relationship and Family Counseling

Holiday Blues: How to Manage, When to Seek Help

Holiday Blues: How to Manage, When to Seek Help

Erectile Dysfunction – Everything You Need to Know

Erectile Dysfunction – Everything You Need to Know

Mastering ADHD: Strategies for Adults in Daily Life

Mastering ADHD: Strategies for Adults in Daily Life

12 Common Illnesses that Peak in the Fall 

12 Common Illnesses that Peak in the Fall 

Why Telehealth Is the Future of Convenient, Quality Care — And Why You Should Book Your Virtual Visit Today

Heart Health Screenings: Everything You Need to Know

Heart Health Screenings: Everything You Need to Know

Keeping Your Holiday and Winter Cheer Bright

Keeping Your Holiday and Winter Cheer Bright

This will close in 0 seconds

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.