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For those who have experienced any type of trauma, a common question they might have is whether or not trauma, or rather the symptoms of trauma, can be cured with therapy. Many people who have experienced a traumatic event (or multiple events) end up developing PTSD or a similar mental health issue.
Of course, the first step to curing the effects of trauma is admitting that you’ve experienced it. If you’ve come to this step, you’re ready to dive in a little further. Let’s take a look at whether curing trauma is possible and how to manage trauma in therapy.
Can the Symptoms Caused By Trauma Completely Go Away With Therapy?
If you’re wondering if symptoms caused by trauma can completely go away with time, the answer is that it depends. Not everyone is able to heal the effects of trauma completely, but many people can learn to manage their symptoms and live completely normal and healthy lives. Likely, trauma will always stick with you in some way. That doesn’t have to be a negative thing, though.
Conditions such as PTSD and personality disorders are treatable, which means you can lessen symptoms or even get rid of symptoms over time and even stop qualifying for the diagnosis. However, this takes years of therapy for most people, and it does take an active interest in your treatment.
For trauma therapy to work, you have to believe in it, believe in yourself, and be willing to try. You don’t have to love yourself or trust yourself, as it is common for people with trauma not to feel this way. The best thing you can do for yourself is to repeat this phrase: “I promise to try to love myself, even when it is hard. I promise to dedicate myself to healing and always do my best. My best is enough.”
A trauma therapist will help you learn the skills you need to treat your most distressing symptoms. If you are experiencing severe PTSD symptoms or have received a diagnosis due to your trauma, your therapist will walk through treatment options with you.
With years of therapy and skills under your belt, you are more likely to experience a reduction in distressing symptoms. Effective therapies to treat trauma and PTSD do exist.
Remember, it’s completely normal to take time to be able to talk about your traumas, delve deep into therapy, and experience relief. You may not notice a change at first, and that’s okay. Trauma is messy, and you have to go about it on your own schedule.
How To Aid in Managing Your Own Trauma
To get the best results out of trauma therapy, it’s best if you practice certain behaviors and skills at home to take care of yourself outside of the therapy office as well. Here are some tips:
- Don’t do something that you know will cause a flashback.
- Take power away from negative thoughts that have been put in your head by someone else. Simply acknowledge them and ignore them.
- Be gentle with yourself and try to forgive yourself for mistakes
- Do something each day that makes you feel appreciated by yourself (showering, doing your hair, going for a walk, etc.)
- Don’t judge yourself for being unable to complete a task
- Do kind things for others when you can
If you’re going through each day just feeling like you’re “just surviving,” it can be difficult to put a lot of time and energy into self-care. However, there are many small things you can do to take care of yourself that don’t take much thought. Even just acknowledging that you need a break is a kind thing you can do for yourself.
How a Therapist Can Help
A trauma therapist can help you deal with trauma by teaching you new skills, validating your responses to your past, helping you see where you are not at fault, and listening to you when you speak about your traumas.
There are many types of trauma therapy, and choosing the best one for you is the most important step when finding something that can help you manage symptoms. Below, we’ve outlined some of the best types of trauma therapy for those with a traumatic past.
The Best Therapy Options for Those With a Traumatic Past
There are many therapy options for people who have experienced trauma. Some of the most common and widely utilized therapy methods include:
- Trauma talk therapy
- EMDR therapy (rapid eye movement therapy)
- Internal family systems therapy (IFS)
- Attachment-based therapy
- DBT (dialectical behavioral therapy)
- Art therapy
- Spirituality-based therapy or faith-based therapy (for spiritual and religious clients)
Every single therapy method made to treat trauma has been practiced and confirmed with hundreds and thousands of patients. The best way to learn which one works for you is by booking a trial session with a therapist who specializes in a therapy method you’re interested in.
If you don’t find that the therapy is helpful, or you’re not ready to delve so deep into your traumas, it’s okay to let your therapist know that. It may take a few trial appointments to find a therapist you feel comfortable with. Not every pairing is a match. Try to see a few therapists before you find one that sticks.
If you’re not ready to go into detail about your trauma, you don’t have to. You can even heal trauma without ever remembering or speaking about the exact details of what happened. The most important thing is healing the effects on your body and mind in the present moment.
What Happens if I Don’t Feel Better?
If you don’t feel better after a certain amount of time in therapy, don’t worry. You’re not broken, and there’s nothing wrong with you. Many factors can go into not getting relief from therapy, including:
- Not having the right therapist match
- Not partaking in the right therapy
- Re-traumatization through therapy that is too quick/not patient-focused
- Being invalidated
- Being rejected by a therapist
- Not utilizing the right coping skills
You can potentially find healing by trying a different therapist, therapy style, or new skills. Also, sometimes you just need a break. It’s okay if you need to take some time off between therapy sessions. Never push yourself beyond your limit. Healing is about taking the time it takes you specifically to heal. That could be a few months or a few years. It’s all up to what you’re comfortable with and your specific situation.
In the end, healing is possible for everyone, and it can just take a few extra steps to get there! We believe in you.
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