2020 has been an especially stressful and triggering one nationally, on top of other unique and personal life challenges. Which is why I found it important to revisit the topic of Trauma (what it means, its impact and symptoms, as well as ideas for coping), and share some reminders through the blog post. Hope you find them helpful to you and others in your life!

☆ Traumatic experiences can impact your core beliefs, values and sense of self, and though this is not an exhaustive list, events like racism, abuse and neglect, family members mental illness, and life threatening accidents are highly impactful and can be life changing in many ways (See attached images for more details).

☆ It doesn’t matter if you experience these events directly or indirectly. Also, not everyone exposed to the same stressful or damaging event, will have trauma symptoms or meet the criteria for PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder).

☆ You may not label your experience(s) as traumatic but you may be aware of significant changes in your thoughts, emotions, body sensations and behaviors in response to certain memories, people or situations. For example, you know what you “should” believe (“I did the best I could” or “it’s not my fault”) yet you can’t let go of the feelings of shame and guilt (likely connected to the belief that “I should’ve known better” or “I’m damaged”).

Healing from Trauma is a process and there’s not a “one size fits all” plan. Yet, you put one foot in front of the other and thank yourself for taking the next brave step.

Thank you for taking the time to read this.

– RAI Counseling Services, LLC