HEALING FROM TRAUMA
PHASES OF HEALING
Recovery is the main goal for people who have experienced trauma. It is an individual experience is different for everyone. In general, recovery is the ability to live in the present without resenting and being overwhelmed by the thoughts of the past.
The main symptom after experiencing trauma is helplessness, isolation, and the loss of power and control. The principles of healing from trauma are the restoration of safety and empowerment. Recovery does not always mean complete liberty from post-traumatic effects. But it is actually the ability to live in the present without being overwhelmed after trauma.
Healing from trauma is a process. The re-establishment of safety is the first and most important step in recovery, whether the individual speaks about details of the trauma or not.
PHASE I – THE COCOON STAGE
People who experienced trauma tend to feel unsafe in their bodies and also in their relationships with others. Regaining the feeling of safety may take days to weeks or even months. Figuring out what areas of life need to be stabilized and how that can be accomplished will be helpful in moving towards recovery. For instance, A trauma survivor may struggle with regulating complicated emotions in everyday life that might not even be associated with the trauma. They need to learn how to manage overwhelming feelings and emotions.
This stage of healing is when they feel drawn to spend time alone, learn new things and truly connect with themselves. This stage is isolating plus confusing because they will be questioning everything around them.
Some people who experienced trauma may find it difficult to express their experiences emotionally. Self-soothing practices such as meditation, deep breathing yoga as well as other spiritual and cultural practices and ceremonies have been shown to be effective in soothing their nervous system. Meditation, aromatherapy, and yoga exercises are also effective in therapy.
PHASE II – THE REMEMBRANCE AND MOURNING
This stage shifts to processing the traumatic events, putting them into words and expressing emotions, and adding meaning to them. It is necessary to spend a lot of time in this stage. Pacing and timing are two important things during this stage. The person affected by trauma is quickly overwhelmed and flooded emotionally while talking about their trauma memories. So it is better to restore safety and stability before going further on with the story. The point is not to live the traumatic event(s) again but nor is it to tell the story with no emotions attached. But to get that stuff out of their system. This phase includes the important part of exploring and mourning the losses related to the trauma and providing space to grieve and get their emotions out.
PHASE III – RECONNECTION AND INTEGRATION
In this phase, there should now be a creation of a new sense of oneself and a brand-new future ahead. This final stage includes redefining of self in the context of relationships. The trauma becomes just another life story that is no longer the story that defines them.
In this stage of recovery, the person affected acknowledges the impact of the victimization. And is now ready to take steps towards empowerment and self-determined living. In a few instances, people who have experienced trauma find a reason through which they can continue to heal and grow.
Recovery differs from person to person. There are chances for individuals to feel that the process is taking too long or they are not doing it right. It is essential to be gentle, patient, and compassionate with yourself as you move forward through this process of healing.
