Feeling unsafe in our bodies, relationships, or surroundings is a common sign of unresolved trauma. Many of us deal with these feelings in our daily life. This trauma that haunts us can be recent, decades-old or even generational. While some are still finding ways to handle these feelings, others are fortunate and privileged enough to seek help from their close ones or trained professionals. This first step restores a sense of safety in many of us and becomes the foundation of any healing journey. тБгSo, if you are also taking steps to heal from any scarring or emotionally painful incident – whether you’ve been working on it recently or for many years – there are ways you can tell if you’re making progress in your recovery. To help you know more, we contacted a clinical psychologist based in Delhi, Dr Parul Adlakha. She shared six common signs that can help one determine if they are progressing in their trauma resolution journey.
Dr Parul explained, “trauma can cause anyone to feel helpless and evoke upsetting emotions and memories. Most importantly, it takes time to get over the pain and feel safe again.” She added, “Recovery from trauma is an individual process and will look different for everyone.” Here are the six signs she shared. (Also Read: How to actually practice self-care to improve your mental health, psychologists offers tips)
You Are Able To Live In the Present
Dr Parul stated, “Being able to live in the present without being overwhelmed by the past memories and leaving the traumatic event behind so that it no longer controls your emotions in the present is a promising sign.
You Regain Sense Of Safety
Dr Parul explained, “Regaining a sense of safety and establishing physical and emotional stability is another sign. If you no longer feel overwhelmed and can soothe your mind in triggering situations, it suggests you are progressing in your trauma healing journey.”
You Look Forward To Future
“Looking forward to the future and being able to create a renewed sense of self. The traumatic event is no longer the primary event in one’s life. Therefore, being able to reconnect with oneself and embrace the future without feeling overwhelmed is also a positive sign in trauma healing,” Dr Parul told HT.
You Gain Self Confidence
Dr Parul explained, “Gaining your self-confidence back, being able to take life decisions more confidently without guilt and self-doubt, having a more solution-focused approach rather than second-guessing oneself, and ruminating about the problems are a few other signs.”
You Recognise And Cope With Your Triggers
“Accepting and recognising the triggers and being able to cope with the sense of overwhelm caused by those triggers is another sign of progress in your recovery,” explained Dr Parul.
You Have Compassion For Yourself
Dr Parul pointed out that “having self-compassion and taking pride in one’s progress, accepting mistakes and missteps that one makes, and acknowledging and taking pride in one’s coping and how far they have come,” prove that one is improving.
In the end, Dr Parul added, “Healing from trauma is a process. It does not take place in a step cycle. For instance, we might feel better on first and second day, but on third day we can have a slip because of a trigger. In such cases, usually it is always better to have a support system around you. It can be in any form, such as emotional or social support and even psychological support from a therapist or a psychiatrist you are reffering to. Having that support in such times is important.”
She added, “First step is always seeking out therapy. It helps us understand what triggers us, accept them and cope in healthy ways. It also helps in a better trauma healing journey for ourselves. So, whenever there is a slip-up, it is essential to go back to the support system we have built for ourselves, understand what went wrong during a triggering moment and how you can deal with it now.”
Note: If you are dealing with any past or present trauma, it is always advisable to reach out to a trained professional like a therapist or a psychologist.
