Mental Health & Recovery
Trauma is not just a memory; it's a physical and emotional response that lives in your body. Understanding this is the first step toward reclaiming your life.
What you might be feeling
Hypervigilance
Always being "on guard," jumping at loud noises, or constantly scanning for threats even in safe places.
Dissociation
Feeling "spaced out," disconnected from your body, or as if the world around you isn't real.
Intrusive Thoughts
Flashbacks or sudden, painful memories that feel like they are happening all over again.
Shame & Guilt
The heavy, false belief that you were somehow responsible or that you are "broken" because of what happened.
Tools for recovery
Recovery is not a straight line. It's a series of small, intentional choices to care for yourself.
- Grounding: Techniques like the "5-4-3-2-1" method to bring your focus back to the present moment.
- Boundaries: Learning to say "no" to people or situations that drain your energy or feel unsafe.
- Professional Help: Finding a trauma-informed therapist who specializes in EMDR, CBT, or somatic experiencing.
- Self-Compassion: Treating yourself with the same kindness you would offer a dear friend in the same situation.
If you need help right now
If you are feeling overwhelmed or thinking about self-harm, please reach out to a crisis line immediately. You don't have to carry this alone.
You are more than what happened to you
Your trauma is a part of your story, but it is not the whole story. Healing is possible, and you deserve to feel safe in your own skin again.