Traumatized: A Normal Reaction to an Abnormal Event

If you have read or watched the news lately, you know that in America, there have been a lot of mass shootings. There have been people who have been shot while ringing a doorbell or there has been a Sweet 16 going on and someone decided to come and fire shots within that event. Over the last few years, there's been a lot of gun violence and a lot of mass shootings and these things cause trauma for those individuals who are watching the news. A lot of times we look at it and say, “Oh what a horrible thing,” but if we watch the news reporter who's interviewing those individuals who've been included, those who were in the club. those who were the ones who were shot at or whose lives were in danger, we can see oftentimes the trauma that they are experiencing at the moment.

Trauma Affects us Differently

There was an account of a gentleman who, experienced a mass shooting at a Sweet 16 party and was being interviewed. He was trying to state how his friend ran one way and he ran a different way, and he literally could not get the sentence out because he began to cry and break down. For him, that experience was very traumatic. He lost his friend that evening. Trauma happens often and every trauma looks and feels different to the person experiencing it.

What is Your Response to Trauma?

So how do you deal with trauma? You can talk to others about it tell them how you feel and express what's going on inside. This can help you process what has happened and possibly provide you with understanding. There are also ways to help to calm yourself. Trauma can leave you tensed and worried. Finding ways to ground/calm yourself is important to everyday functioning. As a counselor, I will tell you to take care of yourself. By taking care of yourself, you continue to be a healthier you. Self-care is a way to ensure you are making yourself a priority. This may require you to get away from the situation, or it could include things such as taking a long hot bath, going for a long run or walk, meditating, or whatever it takes for you just to get into a place of peace and calmness. Though it is often thought to help, drugs and alcohol make things worse. It is best to avoid using alcohol and drugs because these actually don't help handle the issue, problem, or trauma, but they only prolong the process. They may help you to forget in the moment but once the high or drunkenness is gone you will be forced to remember all over again.

Get Help the Healthy Way

Trauma can grip you strongly and cause you to respond to things in an unhealthy manner. If, because of fear or the unknown, you fail to continue your normal daily routine, we, at Mind Works, can attempt to help you to get back into the habit of just doing those things that seem normal or get involved with your community, family, and friends. Trauma sometimes presents as nightmares, or anxiety and fear. You may discover that you aren’t able to function as you normally would, failing to go outside for fear of being injured, or struggling to be in crowds for fear of being trapped. There are many ways that the effects of trauma show up in our lives. Understand, you don’t have to deal with this alone.

When dealing with trauma, remember:

• Trauma happens to many

• Deal with trauma in a healthy manner

• Talk it out

• Don’t use alcohol or drugs to forget, because this is temporary

• Utilize self-care

• You are not alone

At Mind Works Counseling Services in Lubbock, TX we specialize in helping people navigate trauma. If you find you aren’t able to handle the trauma or get past it on your own, we can help. Here are Mind Works, there are efficient and equipped counselors to help you deal with any trauma you have encountered whether it was a month ago or twenty years ago. We understand that if trauma is not effectively dealt with, it can continue to negatively impact our lives. If you are ready to tackle trauma that has caused you to alter your normal way of dealing, contact us. We are here to help you.

Learn more about the Trauma Counseling services we offer.

Contact us to schedule an appointment or to let us answer any questions you may have.