Experiencing trauma can cause significant harm to an individual’s wellness. It is crucial to find strategies for addressing and handling the emotions and symptoms of events such as severe accidents, physical assault, natural disasters, and mental and emotional traumas. Trauma recovery is a journey that looks different for every individual. However, some strategies can prove helpful in managing symptoms and moving toward healing. Here are six ways to treat trauma:
1. Engage in Sensory Activities
Sensory activities can help to ground an individual in the present moment and ease symptoms of anxiety or panic associated with trauma. These activities involve engaging the senses through sight, smell, sound, taste, and touch exercises. For example, you can practice deep breathing while focusing on a calming image like a beach scene, listen to soothing music, or incorporate aromatherapy with a calming essential oil like lavender.
Additionally, tactile exercises can promote relaxation. For instance, squeezing a stress ball or kneading playdough can be excellent grounding techniques. Listening to music and engaging in activities involving sound drumming and playing an instrument can also help individuals connect with their bodies and emotions.
2. Practice Self Compassion
To overcome trauma, be kind to yourself and practice self-compassion. Treating oneself with kindness, acknowledging and validating one’s emotions, and being as caring towards oneself as towards loved ones fosters self-acceptance and non-judgmental thoughts. Eventually, this helps build resilience and makes it easier to manage symptoms.
3. Seek Professional Support
An experienced professional can help to identify, process, and manage the emotions associated with trauma. Your clinician might suggest different treatment approaches, like EMDR therapy, CBT, Hypnotherapy, or DBT. These techniques focus on relieving trauma symptoms and helping you cope with trauma aftermath. Additionally, therapy can provide a safe place for an individual to talk about their traumatic experiences and express difficult emotions without judgment.
4. Join Support Groups
Joining a support group of others who have experienced trauma can be a beneficial tool for treatment. The members provide emotional support and help you process the experience. Such groups can also normalize feelings and help participants reframe their experiences more positively.
Online support communities are available for those who cannot attend in-person support groups. Online forums offer the same benefits as an in-person group but without having to leave one’s home. Support groups are a great way to build resilience and manage trauma symptoms. In a support group setting, you openly express your feelings and experiences to others going through similar struggles without fearing judgment.
5. Medication
Your doctor may also recommend medications to help manage trauma symptoms. Depending on your condition, medications such as antidepressants, anxiety medicines, or sleeping pills may be prescribed. Medication can be especially helpful if you are having difficulty managing your emotions and daily life after trauma. However, it is important to note that medications should never replace therapy or coping strategies but rather act as a supplement.
6. Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms
To better manage trauma symptoms, it is important to cultivate healthy coping mechanisms. Avoid harmful coping mechanisms like substance abuse, unhealthy eating habits, and self-harm behavior. Instead, prioritize healthy habits like regular exercise, establishing healthy sleep patterns, surrounding yourself with supportive people, and setting goals.
In summary, there is no single solution for treating trauma. The most critical aspect of trauma recovery is finding coping techniques customized to your case and strengthening your resilience. Although it may seem challenging, always hold onto hope and don’t give up. Investing in treatment, practicing patience with oneself, and seeking support from loved ones will undoubtedly lead you toward healing and transformation.