Definition of trauma and steps to heal from it

Trauma is going through an event that stuns the nervous system and has short and long-term effects that impact the individual on different levels.

When a person experiences a traumatic situation, they could feel helpless, anxious, and overall distressed leading to a wide range of symptoms.

Definition of trauma

There is no exact method to estimate which events might cause trauma but it usually involves betrayal, pain and confusion.

Traumatic events impact the individual profoundly in a way that alters their thoughts, feelings and emotions.

Symptoms that happen after trauma aren't the same and vary based on the emotional response of each person.

Recent trauma in my life

I experienced a major invasion of privacy and it was traumatizing. Without revealing many details, but I felt overwhelmed, and distressed after discovering what happened. Even writing about this situation hurts me. I'm a very private person so I can't describe what I went through and the extent of trauma that I experienced. It's disturbing in ways I couldn't even imagine. Anger, sadness and fear are the main emotions that took over me to the point that I'm feeling I have no energy.

After reading and researching about trauma, I understand the massive impact that it causes to the mind and body. We all respond to trauma differently, and trauma can be caused by any event that crushes us.

Events that cause trauma can range from natural disasters to losing a job or failing an exam.

In my opinion, trauma occurs after a moment that destabilizes our nervous system or something that disrupts our routine, or when we face a situation that we have never faced before and makes us feel that we lost control and are powerless.

Many of us think that trauma only happens in childhood but the reality is it can happen at any stage of life and it can happen more than once.

How does trauma impact me?

What I'm experiencing from my recent trauma is changes in my sleep pattern and my eating behaviors (I'm overeating and oversleeping).

I find myself easily irritated and I find it difficult to do things that I love, such as reading, listening to music, and working out.

The simplest of tasks such as texting back, doing my bed, or even tweeting became a burden on me.

How am I healing from trauma?

Luckily my mom and my best friend understand how I feel and support me completely.

I'm trying to overcome this trauma by validating how I feel, giving my body and mind the rest that I need, and forgiving myself for any symptom that I might feel.

I won't gaslight myself into believing that my trauma isn't valid, it's valid and I have every right to have these thoughts and emotions but I won't let them control me and I won't feel guilty about them.

Rushing the process of healing is something that I won't do and I will accept the lessons that I need to learn from this situation.