12 Signs You Are Healing From Trauma

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A lot of people, just like you, have gone through tough and difficult experiences. It could be a car accident, someone they loved passing away, or something bad that happened to them.

No matter what it was, if you found it hard to feel better and felt like you couldn't move on, there is still hope to heal from these tough experiences. There are clear signs that show you are making progress and getting better after going through something really tough.

Did you know?

Trauma can lead to crippling anxiety, making you feel overwhelmed and scared. But with support and help, you can heal and find strength to overcome.

What is trauma?

Trauma is a strong feeling of fear or horror that happens after something really terrible, like an accident, a bad attack, or a natural disaster. After going through this awful event, it's normal to feel shocked and not want to believe it really happened.

Sometimes, after some time has passed, you might feel unpredictable emotions, have memories that come back suddenly, find it hard to connect with others, or even have physical problems like headaches or feeling sick.

The effects of trauma can last for a short time or a long time. When it lasts a long time, it's called Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which can happen after you go through something dangerous. There's also a short-term type called Acute stress disorder (ASD). [1]

If you think that you still have PTSD, we suggest taking this PTSD Test.

Post traumatic stress disorder

When something really scary or terrible happens to a person, they might start feeling and acting differently. This is called Post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

PTSD can happen after just one very bad event, like a big accident or something dangerous. It can also happen if someone goes through bad things for a long time, like being hurt or mistreated when they were younger. [2] Symptoms of PTSD can include;

• Persistent intrusive recollections
• Avoidance of stimuli related to the trauma
• Negative alterations in cognitions and mood
• Hyperarousal​

Acute stress disorder

Acute stress disorder, which we call ASD, is a strong and upsetting reaction that happens a few weeks after something really scary or bad happens.

If someone keeps feeling upset and having a hard time for more than a month, doctors might say they have PTSD, which stands for Post-traumatic stress disorder. The symptoms of PTSD and ASD are very similar, like feeling scared and stressed all the time. It's essential to understand and get help if you or someone you know is going through this. [3]

The difference between PTSD and ASD

After something really bad happens, like something really scary or dangerous, a person might start feeling very upset and stressed. This is called ASD or Acute Stress Disorder, and it can show up in the month right after the bad event.

ASD and PTSD have very similar symptoms, like feeling scared and anxious a lot. Both of them are personal ways our minds and emotions react to terrible things that happened to us. [4]

But for a doctor to say someone has PTSD, the symptoms need to keep going on for at least one month. That's why they wait to see if the feelings last for a longer time before giving a PTSD diagnosis. If someone is feeling this way, it's important to tell a grown-up you trust so they can help.

Common emotions felt while healing from trauma

 Fear and Anxiety

When something really scary happens, like a big accident or a dangerous event, it's normal to feel afraid and worried. These feelings are our body's way of protecting us, like a built-in alarm system. [5]

Feeling scared is okay and shows that our body is working the way it should. It helps us stay alert and be careful when we face frightening situations. So, if you ever feel afraid after seeing something scary, know that it's your body doing its job to keep you safe. And remember, it's always good to talk to someone you trust about your feelings and what happened, so they can support you through it.

 Anger

When something really bad happens, like a very hurtful event, it's normal to feel angry. We might be mad at the person who caused us pain or the situation that made us suffer. Sometimes, we might even get angry at ourselves and blame ourselves for what happened. [6]

Feeling angry is a common response to tough situations, and it's okay to feel that way. Sometimes, we might notice that we are more easily annoyed or quick to snap at people we care about, like our partners or kids. This happens because we are still dealing with the tough feelings inside us, and it can make us act differently than usual. But you must also remember that anger can damage your relationship.

Remember, it's okay to feel angry, but it's also essential to talk to someone we trust about how we feel so they can help us understand and cope with these emotions. It's okay to ask for support when we're going through tough times.

Sadness

When something really awful happens, we often feel very sad and might cry. Crying is a way our body and mind try to relax after going through something tough. [7]

You know how when we get scared or worried, our body gets all tense and ready to protect us? Well, crying is like a way for our body to calm down after feeling that way for some time. It helps our nervous system, which is like the body's alarm system, to settle down.

Feeling sad is normal, and it's okay to cry when we need to. The sadness might come and go, like waves in the ocean. And that's completely natural. Just know that it's okay to feel this way and to talk to someone you trust about how you feel. They can help you feel better and understand your emotions.

Feeling numb

Numbing is like a way our mind protects us after something really tough happens. It's when our feelings seem to be separated from our thoughts, actions, and memories. [8]

Since numbing can hide how we really feel inside, sometimes, the people who care about us or the experts who want to help us might not fully understand how much we're hurting or how the tough experience is affecting us. It's like our emotions are hiding, and that can make it harder for others to see that we need support.

But it's essential to talk to someone we trust about our feelings, even if they might not see it right away. Sharing our emotions can help us heal and get the help we need to feel better. Remember, it's okay to talk about how we feel and ask for help when we're going through difficult times.

Shame/Guilt

After going through something really bad and hurtful, like a very tough experience, it's common to feel ashamed. But there are some experiences that can make this feeling last longer, like sexual assault, intimate partner abuse, physical abuse, and childhood maltreatment.

These experiences are extra tough because they can be very degrading and humiliating. It's like they create the perfect environment for shame to grow inside us.

Feeling ashamed is normal, but remember that it's not your fault. It's essential to talk to someone you trust about how you feel, and they can help you understand that you don't have to carry this shame alone. There are people who care and want to support you through tough times. It's okay to share your feelings with someone who can help you feel better. [9]

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Signs your mental health is healing and improving

It's no secret that mental health and trauma are closely linked. When you experience a traumatic event, it can have a significant impact on your mental well-being. You may feel scared, confused, and alone. You may also struggle to cope with memories of the event.

However, it is essential to remember that healing is possible. As you work through your trauma, you will likely see a significant improvement in your mental health. Here are vital signs that you've started the recovery process;

You're no longer easily startled 

When you experience a traumatic event, it can be hard to feel safe again. You may find yourself constantly on edge, jumpy at the slightest noise, and unable to relax. This is perfectly normal. Your body is in survival mode, and it will take some time for your nervous system to calm down.

Once you start to heal, you will probably startle less easily. Your body will become more accustomed to feeling safe again, and you will gradually stop experiencing the same level of fear and anxiety.

This doesn't mean that your trauma is gone; it just means that your body is slowly adapting to the new normal. With time and patience, you will continue to heal and feel more like yourself again.

Your nightmares decrease/stop

For many people who have experienced trauma, nightmares are a common symptom. Dreams can be a way for our minds to process what we have been through, and often they reflect our fears and anxieties about the event.

For survivors of trauma, these dreams can be re-experiencing the event or reliving it differently.. In some cases, the line between reality and nightmare can become blurred, making it difficult to get a good night's sleep.

However, there is hope because it's only a trauma response. As we begin to heal from our trauma, the nightmares will start to decrease or even stop altogether. This is because our brains are no longer trying to make sense of what happened - we are finally beginning to move on.

Your concentration improves

Your concentration is impacted by trauma.  In particular, trauma can lead to problems with working memory, which is the part of your memory that allows you to process and remember new information.

As a result, you may find it challenging to focus on tasks or pay attention to detail. However, as you heal from your trauma, your concentration will likely improve. This is because your brain will gradually adapt to the changes caused by trauma and learn to process information more effectively.

You begin to be present

Many people who have experienced trauma dissociate to cope with their physical pain or past traumas. When dissociating, people may feel disconnected from their physical body and surroundings. They may feel like they are watching themselves outside their own body.

Dissociation can be a helpful defense mechanism in the short term, but it can also lead to further problems down the road. When a person dissociates, they cannot fully process the traumatic situation or negative emotions.

As a result, their trauma can become locked in their subconscious mind, where it can continue to cause them distress and distract them from the present moment. For people to heal from trauma, it is essential to become more present.

This means learning to connect with your body and your emotions. Over time, as you heal from your trauma, you will start to feel more present in your life.

You stop feeling guilty

We frequently blame ourselves when someone close to us is harmed or killed as a result of a traumatic event, and we may feel guilty that we didn't do something to prevent it. Combat veterans may be plagued with guilt over activities they engaged in while on duty that resulted in enemy combatants' deaths, as stated by

We believe that we're to blame for their death or injuries. It's important to understand that it wasn't your fault and that you couldn't have prevented it. The best thing you can do is focus on the present and take steps to move forward. 

You're no longer so emotional

Trauma survivors may have difficulty controlling emotions such as rage, anxiety, sadness, and guilt. Remembering the trauma can be very upsetting, but these are normal reactions. 

However, you start to feel more hopeful about the future as you heal. You may still have some bad days, but you know you're resilient and can get through anything. And if you're interested in learning more about this we suggest reading, Why Am I So Emotional? 14 Reasons Why & What To Do.

You have less intrusive thoughts and memories

You have less intrusive thoughts and memories as you heal from your trauma. This is because you are healing and resolving the issues that caused the trauma in the first place.

As you heal, you will find that your thoughts and memories become less intrusive and more manageable.

You may even find that you no longer think about or remember the trauma. This is a normal and healthy part of the healing process. However, if you find that your thoughts and memories are still intrusive and causing distress, it is crucial to seek professional help.

Trauma-based hallucinations/delusions don't visit you anymore

Trauma-based hallucinations and delusions are a type of mental health symptom that can occur after a person experiences Trauma.

It's important to note that both types of symptoms can be debilitating and make it difficult for a person to recover from their trauma. However, there is good news: as you heal from your trauma, these symptoms will dissipate.

You may still have days where they seem worse than others, but overall, you will notice that they don't visit you as often or with the same intensity as they did initially. This is because healing is a process, and as you work through your trauma, your mind and body will slowly begin to repair themselves.

You no longer practice self-harm

You no longer practice inflicting harm to your physical body. This is because self-harm is a way of coping with difficult emotions and experiences.

When you have healed from your trauma, you will no longer need to self-harm as a way of coping. You will have dealt with the root cause of your self-harming behavior and developed other, healthier ways of dealing with difficult experiences.

This does not mean that you will never experience difficult emotions or will never need to cope with them constructively.

Your relationships improve

Trauma survivors may be embarrassed or ashamed of their stress reactions, which hampers their ability to fully utilize the support of their family members or may even avoid professional help. However, your relationships improve when you heal from trauma because healing allows you to develop a more positive outlook toward yourself and others.

When you have a positive outlook, you can see the good in people and appreciate them more. This increased appreciation leads to improved communication and a more profound connection in your relationships. In addition, healing from trauma can help you become more emotionally available to others.

When you are emotionally available, you can give and receive love more freely. As a result, your relationships naturally become more intimate and loving. We recommend reading What Social Health? Examples Is, And 7 Tips On How To Achieve It.

You experience less avoidance

When you experience emotional or childhood trauma, you tend to avoid people, places, things, thoughts, and emotions that remind you of the trauma. You also avoid anything that might trigger a memory of the trauma.

You might even avoid talking about the trauma. You do this because you want to protect yourself from reliving the pain of past trauma. But avoiding reminders of the trauma can make it harder for you to heal.

It can also make it harder for you to cope with day-to-day life. When you heal from the trauma, you will still have memories of the trauma. But they will not be as intrusive or as painful. And you will be able to talk about the trauma without feeling overwhelmed. You will also be able to cope with triggers and reminders of the trauma.

With prolonged exposure, you will no longer feel like you need to avoid everything that reminds you of the trauma. Instead, you will be able to use your trauma memories to help you heal.

You stop blaming yourself

You stop blaming yourself when you heal from trauma. You were not to blame then, and you are not to blame now. You were a victim then, and you are a survivor now. You were powerless then, and you are powerful now. You stop blaming yourself when you heal from trauma because you realize it wasn't your fault.

It's simple to look back with hindsight and see the "mistakes" we made. In fact, we almost certainly understate our role in the traumatic event, which leads to a sense of unwarranted guilt. Psychology Today claims it is a typical response following a trauma.

Tips that will help you on your healing journey

While some people can recover quickly, others may struggle with past trauma for years. If you're seeking tips to help you on your healing journey, here are a few that may be helpful:

There is no one-size-fits-all

First, it's essential to understand that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to healing. What works for one person may not work for another. Finding a method that feels right for you is necessary to help you with your emotional wounds and trauma recovery.

Reach out for help

Trauma victims don't usually seek help, but it's vital for healing. Some people can offer valuable guidance and support, whether talking to a online therapist or joining a support group.

This encourages healthy relationships and boundaries because we are human beings, and we naturally crave that connection.

Remember it takes time

Remember that the healing process takes time. There will likely be ups and downs, but eventually, you will get through it. Finally, be gentle with yourself. Don't expect perfection; just take things one day at a time and do your best. 

Exercise

Exercise is a great way to start your healing journey. It helps to release endorphins, which have mood-boosting properties. It also helps to improve your sleep and physical health.

Which can be problematic for people who have experienced trauma.

Drink some herbal tea

Herbal tea can also help promote relaxation and help you to feel calmer. There are many different types of herbal tea, so experiment to find one that you like. Chamomile and lavender are two good options. We even recommend trying out Herbaly Wellness Collection Tea.

Conclusion

Trauma can be a life-changing event, but healing and moving on is possible. If you are struggling with trauma, know that there is hope. There are many resources available to help you start the healing process.

The most important thing is to be gentle with yourself and take things one step at a time. You will get through this. For more informative blogs like this, check out the rest of Ultihealthguide.

Questions And Answers

References

1. Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services: Chapter 3
2. National Library of Medicine: Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
3. National Library of Medicine: Acute Stress Disorder
4. National Library of Medicine: Acute Stress Disorder
5. Psychology Today: 21 Common Reactions to Trauma
6. Psychology Today: 21 Common Reactions to Trauma
7. National Library Of Medicine: The Riddle of Human Emotional Crying: A Challenge for Emotion Researchers.
8. National Library of Medicine: Chapter 3
9. Quest Psychology Services: Shame: Why does it come from trauma?
10. Psychologytoday: 21 Common Reactions to Trauma
11. Good Therapy: When Trauma Follows You into Your Nightmares
12. National Library of Medicine: Trauma and Public Mental Health: A Focused Review
13. National Library Of Medicine: Understanding the Impact of Trauma
14. Psychology Today: 21 Common Reactions to Trauma
15. he National Library of Medicine: Chapter 3
16. National Library Of Medicine: Understanding the Impact of Trauma
17. National Library Of Medicine: Chapter 3
18. National Library Of Medicine: Understanding the Impact of Trauma
19. NIH: Chapter 3
20. National Library Of Medicine: Understanding the Impact of Trauma
21. National Library Of Medicine: Treating PTSD: A Review of Evidence-Based Psychotherapy Interventions
22. Psychology Today: 21 Common Reactions to Trauma

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