4 Tips to Help You Overcome Trauma

Life is full of ups and downs. Everyone faces hardship at some point in their lives. Those hardships could range from losing a loved one, losing your job or experiencing a traumatic event. Trauma is one of the most common issues linked to mental health problems.

Trauma is experienced in many forms — including physical, emotional and sexual abuse — and can happen at any age. After a traumatic event occurs, people react in different ways. Some may feel guilt, while others try to block the entire situation out of their memory.

Tisha Bayless, an adult outpatient therapist at the Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois, shares the below tips to help overcome trauma.

1. Speak up. Many people have difficulty talking about trauma. Consider reaching out to a trusted friend, family member, someone from your church, or anyone you are close to and trust. Start off slowly. Not all details of a trauma have to be shared at once. Consider sharing small amounts of information to make sure that person can be trusted and that they are capable of providing the support you need.
2. Don’t blame yourself. Self blame is a common aftereffect of traumas. Work to accept that there were aspects of a trauma you may not have had any control over.
3. Get connected. If you experienced a traumatic event, look for a trauma support group in your area. Often groups will meet once a week to talk about coping strategies and ways to become resilient.
4. Don’t be afraid to seek help from a clinical expert. After a traumatic event occurs, seeking help from a clinical expert is never a bad idea. Many people are capable of working through the trauma and going on with their lives. However, many times the effects of trauma pop up in unexpected or unnoticed ways, which affect a person’s self-esteem and their ability to form or maintain healthy relationships. If you are experiencing depression, anxiety or any other type of mental health issue, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Mental health professionals are trained to help you through a challenging time.

If you or someone you know has experienced a traumatic event, encourage them to seek help. The Mental Health Centers of Central Illinois helps people daily to overcome traumatic events. Click here to view the different sites of care.