A loved one experiencing the effects of trauma has more going on than what meets the eye. As each person has different ways of processing their thoughts and emotions, their coping methods may seem difficult for you to understand. Additionally, they may start shutting themselves away from people. As such, guiding them along the healing process means understanding the various ways you can reach out to them. Ultimately, learning more about the specifics of trauma helps your loved ones feel supported and protected through a challenging period in their lives. Here are some of the best ways to approach help a loved one through the aftermath of trauma. Read up and find out which best suits the situation.
- Reach Out To Experts
Essentially, it’s okay to admit your inexperience when approaching an unfamiliar subject like trauma. Starting by accepting this helps to avoid the more common pitfalls of helping others with their trauma.
Another thing to keep in mind is that there can be several forms of trauma a person can experience. Different ages and backgrounds are factors for people to be subjected to varying trauma conditions. Moreover, their way of handling emotions from these events can vary from person to person.
As such, it’s understandable to feel a bit lost and confused as you try to reassure your loved ones. While you may have their best intentions in mind, conveying these thoughts may not be as straightforward as you thought. Also, individuals who lash out can make you feel as if approaching them creates further harm.
Ultimately, speaking with mental health professionals can be the best way to help your loved ones during these times. These experts know the challenges associated with recovery. They can help your loved one take the first steps towards healing.
On the other hand, you can also gain helpful insight from these experts. Mental health professionals know the significance of a caring presence when a person deals with trauma.
Additionally, they also realize the toll it can take on you. Consulting with these professionals can educate you on being there for your loved one without completely draining yourself. Reaching out to individual clinics within your area, such as the residential treatment Santa Paula can grant you some much-needed support and direction.
Finally, it’s important to note that consulting mental health professionals should be done with full consent and understanding. Partnering with them helps to incorporate the feeling of control back into their lives. Forcing them before they’re ready may make them feel even more isolated, leading them to retreat further in themselves.
Overall, guiding them with patience and empathy helps convey your intentions better than making decisions on their behalf.
- Actively Listen
Active listening can be one of the most significant gestures for your loved ones coping with trauma. While the road to recovery entails plenty of other elements, being a shoulder to cry on or an ear to listen to can be one of the most incredible comforts you can provide for your family or friends.
Many people with trauma report feelings of helplessness and confusion. The shock from the experience can sometimes lead the mind to dissociate from present sensations and thoughts. This ultimately makes it difficult for these individuals to express themselves.
Gently guiding them to open up through open communication helps them gradually overcome these emotions. While it seems a simple matter from most people’s point of view, talking and sharing their experiences can take a lot of effort from your loved ones. However, this can also be the first step towards continued progress on their journey to wellness.
With this in mind, there are a few things you can practice to become an excellent listener. These can include any of the following:
- Simply Listen – Your role, for now, is best performed with focus and silence. While it’s only natural to want to react or give advice, letting your friends and family share on their terms helps promote a positive association with communication.
- Respect Their Views And Feelings – Talking about traumatic experiences is also a way of reliving them. Let your loved ones know and feel that their emotions during the situation and their reactions in the present moment are validated and respected.
- Maintain Eye Contact – Maintaining eye contact is one of the first things you should consider when listening. It’s a quick and effective method of conveying your full attention when your loved ones share their emotions.
- Ask Permission Before Making Physical Contact – Sometimes, talking about their trauma can overwhelm loved ones with emotions. While physical reassurances are a natural method of showing comfort, this may be a trigger point for specific traumatic experiences. Gesturing for a hug or back rub and gently asking permission can be the way to go in particular situations.
A challenging road becomes less so when you’re with good company to Help A Loved One . Likewise, being there for your loved ones can make the challenges of their ordeal feel more manageable. Additionally, it isn’t accomplished with grand gestures. Genuinely hearing and accepting their innermost thoughts can effectively show them they aren’t alone throughout the ups and downs.
- Schedule Activities
Aside from difficulty with self-expression, people with trauma also report challenges engaging themselves with previously enjoyed activities. Furthermore, necessary daily routines also become challenging to maintain.
Interests and activities are an essential part of coping since they provide avenues for self-expression. More so, activities that incorporate exercise can benefit the mind and body. Likewise, they can become great opportunities for connection and socialization.
Meanwhile, daily routines help provide a sense of order and structure. As such, helping them reconnect with these interests and reform routines is another step towards aiding in their recovery.
Moreover, this can be a chance to discover newer interests together. Some of the best activities to spend time together can be:
- Swimming
- Painting
- Reading
- Daily walks
However, as mentioned earlier, your loved ones may not always have the energy or be ready to take on new challenges. It’s essential to respect their decisions and wait for them to decide when the time is right. Remember not to take their comments and reactions personally.
At the very least, you’ll have a ton of fun activities to catch up on when the time is right. Basically, patience should be your greatest asset when helping your friends and family members.
Take A Deep Breath
Helping a loved one cope with their trauma isn’t as straightforward as it seems. Different approaches are necessary for other people. Additionally, things like relapses and panic attacks may also occur.
But proper knowledge and empathy are the tools you’ll need to face these challenges to Help A Loved One . Being there for your loved ones means embracing them at their lowest, without condition, even when that means giving your loved ones the space to heal on their own time.
