Trauma

Spring is here, and many people experience an increased sense of rejuvenation and hope.

For others, the season is a reminder of what is missing in their lives. Despite the lengthening days and the flowering trees, there remains a sense of emptiness.

Maybe you, too, feel emotionally flat or exhausted?

Perhaps, despite your best intentions, you can’t muster the energy for the creative projects or invigorating activities that used to bring you joy.

If this how it is for you, you are not alone.

Suffering emotional exhaustion, and living with a lack of joy are common consequences of trauma, and some of the most frequent symptoms of PTSD.

Shame is the feeling that you are fundamentally flawed in some way. That you are worthless, not deserving of love, kindness, and care.

Have you ever felt that way?

Most of us get hijacked by “shame attacks” from time to time. 

Sometimes the trigger is clear is to us, whereas at other times we are completely blindsided by burning embarrassment, or intense feelings of being bad.

If you have experienced trauma in your life, odds are that the feeling of shame is familiar to you. 

In some ways it can feel like a relief to have a name for what is going on for you.

But, in other ways, being given the PTSD label may make you feel like this is something permanent.  Perhaps you worry that you can’t recover.  

I’m here to tell you that there’s lots of hope. 

You may feel you are going nuts, but actually your brain is doing its best to cope with the overwhelming experiences that happened to you.

Good PTSD treatment can help your brain do that better, so that your life can go back to normal.

A good first step on your healing journey is to understand why you have the symptoms you have.

I am writing this a few days before Christmas. This is the time we are supposed to spend time with loved ones. Typically that means our family and our friends.

But what do you do about contact with family if your parents or other family members maltreated you?

For many people this is a complex issue. Often, you’ll have lots of mixed feelings about it. 

By Elina Falck on Sep 21, 2017 in Trauma. 

You are probably not surprised to learn the short answer is “depends”.

Still, it makes sense that you’d like to have some kind of ballpark answer. As well, once you know something about what the duration depends on, you’ll have a clearer idea of where you fit in.

It may also help you to know that most people who enter trauma therapy do some work, and then go off to experience life with their new sense of relief and confidence. 

Some time later, they may re-enter therapy because new issues have come up, or they want to deepen the gains they made earlier.

By Elina Falck on September 20th, 2017 in Trauma.

When something goes wrong, do you tend to blame yourself? Are you generous about the quirks and mishaps of your friends, but much harder on yourself? 

Do you take care of the needs of others while you drive yourself to the ground?

People who struggle with self-compassion tend to answer yes to these kinds of questions.

If you have experienced trauma, and especially if you were maltreated as a child, odds are high that you are very self-critical. Even if you intellectually know you were not to blame for the trauma, your emotional self tends to believe otherwise. 

It can feel very frustrating to continually bump up against this seemingly self-destructive tendency.