Staying mentally healthy after trauma takes time and patience. People who go through a traumatic event may deal with it in different ways, but it is important to know that recovery will take time and strong emotions are normal.
According to the American Psychological Association (APA) it is common for people to feel both denial and shock after trauma. The APA notes that other normal emotions after a traumatic event may include the following:
It may not be easy to quickly recover from trauma. Natural disasters and violent experiences are especially traumatic and may lead to serious reactions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which includes symptoms such as withdrawal and obsessive thoughts about the traumatic event.
There are several techniques that can restore a healthy mental state after trauma. These techniques include the following:
While individuals need time to cope with trauma, they also need outside help. If memories of the event are interfering with daily life or raw emotions from the trauma are prompting conflict with family members and friends, it’s time to reach out to recovery professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs common problems that occur after trauma include the following:
Effective treatment programs are available, and they offer hope and positivity for the future.
If you or a loved one is suffering after a traumatic event, please call our toll-free helpline. We are here to help and offer information about trauma treatment and steps toward recovery. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don’t let past trauma stand in the way of a better life; call today.