Experiencing a traumatic event can significantly impact every area of your life. Studies show that around 1 in 3 adults have faced at least one traumatic event. Such experiences can put you on the verge of serious mental health issues like PTSD. Thankfully, to heal from trauma is possible, although it takes time, optimism and patience. Here are some effective ways to quit reliving an unbearable past event and start your recovery process. 

Acknowledgement

Pretending it didn’t happen and trying to lock away or erase the event from your memory will not help. Understandably, you don’t want to replay the event or even believe it happened. But doing so will only force you into a state of denial and denying an event happened does not erase it. Acknowledge the significance of what happened. That is the only way you can begin your healing process. Undoubtedly, doing this will drag you into an uncomfortable past, but it will also prepare you for future recovery.

Find Help

After acknowledging what happened, find the right help. That usually means speaking with a therapist or even a doctor. If you prefer therapy, consult someone specialising in helping people recover from traumatic events. This way, you can be sure you’ll get the needed assistance. Support groups are also available and highly recommended. Being around others with similar experiences to yours can help quicken the healing process. 

Treatment & Medications

Your doctor or therapist will decide whether medication will help in your case. Keep in mind that treatment and medications differ and are mostly conditionally recommended. For example, some cannabis doctors prescribe medical cannabis to treat post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), while other professionals will only recommend counselling and therapy.

But regardless of the medication or recommended treatment option, please commit to it. 

The Importance of Self Care

Remember to take good care of yourself throughout your recovery period. Your doctor or therapist can only do so much, but without any effort on your part to get better, you’ll hardly heal from your trauma. Try not to bury yourself in your past and feel sorry for yourself. Instead of this take good care of yourself by eating well, exercising and practicing good hygiene. When done the right way, self care can help you balance the pain of trauma, providing the opportunity for healing to start. 

What to Avoid

Unless prescribed by a doctor, therapist or healthcare giver, avoiding recreational substances to help you forget your experience is best. When dealing with trauma, it can be incredibly tempting to resort to drugs and alcohol to overcome your pain and hurt. But doing so is just like piling up more problems. 

Recreational substances are addictive. Alcohol and hard drugs especially are also harmful to your health. Although they might provide some relief, it’s only temporary while they chip away at your health. Any form of drug use should be under supervision from a trusted caregiver. Please don’t turn to substance abuse to avoid your feelings. Instead, work through them to help you heal and recover.