How to Healthily Experience Emotions after Trauma

Staying mentally healthy after trauma takes time and patience. People who go through a traumatic event may deal with it in different ways, but it is important to know that recovery will take time and strong emotions are normal.

Common Emotions Right after Trauma

According to the American Psychological Association (APA) it is common for people to feel both denial and shock after trauma. The APA notes that other normal emotions after a traumatic event may include the following:

  • Strong feelings of anxiousness, nervousness or irritability
  • Altered thoughts and behaviors that include intense memories or flashbacks
  • Recurring emotions brought on by event anniversaries
  • Challenging relationships with family and friends often triggered by being stressed or withdrawn
  • Physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea and chest pain

Recovering after Trauma

It may not be easy to quickly recover from trauma. Natural disasters and violent experiences are especially traumatic and may lead to serious reactions such as posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) which includes symptoms such as withdrawal and obsessive thoughts about the traumatic event.

Experiencing Healthy Emotions after Trauma

There are several techniques that can restore a healthy mental state after trauma. These techniques include the following:

  • Don’t expect to feel normal immediately
  • Embrace sad or frightened emotions, and know they are part of the healing process
  • Reach out to friends and family members who are good listeners and can understand painful emotions
  • Express feelings by talking with friends, writing a blog about the event or keeping a diary
  • Meet with a support group that provides plenty of opportunities to talk and think about the events and your reactions
  • Seek professional therapy
  • Maintain a normal routine and remember to eat healthy foods and get enough sleep

Knowing When to Find Help after Trauma

While individuals need time to cope with trauma, they also need outside help. If memories of the event are interfering with daily life or raw emotions from the trauma are prompting conflict with family members and friends, it’s time to reach out to recovery professionals. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs common problems that occur after trauma include the following:

  • PTSD
  • Depression
  • Guilt
  • Suicidal thoughts
  • Anger
  • Aggressive behavior

Effective treatment programs are available, and they offer hope and positivity for the future.

Need Help Finding Treatment for Trauma?

If you or a loved one is suffering after a traumatic event, please call our toll-free helpline. We are here to help and offer information about trauma treatment and steps toward recovery. We are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Don’t let past trauma stand in the way of a better life; call today.