I’ve always been an emotionally and mentally strong person, but all of that changed after I experienced trauma. I’ve had to learn how to cope with and navigate the mental effects of my trauma head on.
The first few weeks afterward were incredibly difficult for me. I was prone to extreme mood swings; one minute I’d feel like everything was going to be alright, the next moment I would break down in tears. After a while, my physical health began to suffer too; insomnia became an issue, as did chest pains and grinding my teeth during the night. Despite these issues, it took me awhile to make the connection between them and my trauma. Eventually, though, I got out of this vicious cycle.
I’m still dealing with the mental effects of my trauma every day and learning how to tackle it as efficiently as possible. Going through therapy has been one major tool in this battle; it’s allowed me to explore my feelings more openly and dealt with deep-seated issues that may have led up to the traumatic event in the first place. In addition, talking regularly with family and close friends helps keep me grounded when faced with triggers or reminders of the traumatic incident itself. Self-care techniques have also played an important role in sustaining emotional stability—getting plenty of sleep each night and physical activity are essential for keeping a clear head in times of distress.
The road towards recovery hasn’t been easy but there is a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to navigating through mental trauma. Through therapy and self-care routines, combined with support from those close to me, I am learning that healing isn’t something that has to happen over night—it takes time, understanding oneself better than before, being kind towards yourself along the way - but it is worth it in order reclaiming control over your life again.