Re-Traumatization
Everyone was desperate for 2020 to end, hoping for a brand-new year, seeking rejuvenation. In a recent article in Psychology Today by Sarah Epstein, LMFT, I identified with the idea that a lot of pressure is put on us to feel grateful for health and well-being.
Do not get me wrong, I am grateful. We survived COVID-19, so far. We now have a vaccine and the US is re-opening. The problem is that it is not just about COVID-19 in the US. I am personally affected by the on-going global disaster. As soon as the country felt a sense of relief, having a new President, a vaccine, and a new year full of hope, horrific tragedies continued to happen every day. People are still suffering globally.
It is extremely difficult to switch back and forth from feeling a sense of gratitude and an intense feeling of pain simultaneously. What comes to mind is what is called re-traumatization. This country is traumatized on so many levels and I feel that there is no time in between to recuperate. Here are some examples of triggering events that may contribute to re-traumatization.
Anniversary dates or news stories of similar traumatic incidents.
Similar disasters, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires or the treat of these disasters.
Distressing events reported by the media.
Witnessing or hearing about a traumatic event.
It feels like reopening a wound that has not been quite healed. I implement my own coping strategies to help me cope with re-traumatization and maintain emotional and mental health on a day-to-day basis. Meditation is on top of the list. It keeps me grounded, in the present. Therapy helps too ––– even therapists go to therapy. Journaling helps me unpack unhealthy coping and negative thoughts. Today you can start thinking about trying some these strategies on your own:
Do not underestimate what you have gone through, but also recognize that you are strong and able to recover.
Understand how/why the event happened.
Maintain a strong social support and assure that it is accessible.
Develop effective coping skills (self-care, stress management).
Practice spiritual belief or reach out to spiritual leaders.
Seek care from a trained trauma professional.
Social media is also full of constant exposure to triggering world events. Taking a break might help you avoid retraumatization. Once upon a time, I was so proud to say that I was not on social media, I avoided it for decades. When I became a business owner though, I wanted to be relevant and jumped on the wagon. I say it is for business, but I find myself scrolling down the posts like everyone else, being nosey and yes, comparing. Other times the content is inspiring and can be a useful and necessary tool, but it can also be very destructive. Do not only rely on social media to heal and soothe. There are multiple resources. Step out of your comfort zone and tap into your inner resources and strengths. Healing is possible but we need to be aggressive in attaining it.