A person who has experienced a traumatic event will likely harbor trust issues toward people around them. The sensation of lacking security, together with the experience of not receiving love and the treatment of being belittled, will create severe damage to a person’s psychological and emotional well-being. The person who experiences this unfortunate condition will find that their daily life becomes an unbearable challenge. At the same time, their relationships present additional distressing situations that prevent them from establishing social connections. People who have experienced trauma will face difficulties when it comes to expressing their emotions and thoughts.
Quick Takeaways
- Trauma disrupts the foundation of safety, often leading to persistent trust issues and an inability to articulate internal thoughts or feelings.
- Healing is a collaborative process in which partners can facilitate recovery by establishing physical security, fostering open communication, and sharing grounding techniques.
- Professional guidance is a vital component of long-term stability, as the emotional weight of trauma often requires specialized navigation beyond personal support.
Common Causes of Trauma
If you’re the partner of the person suffering from trauma, understanding the experiences they went through will make you fully aware of how to extend support. Experiences such as these—which may be a one-time incident or a series of events—can cause profound mental and emotional agony:
- Sudden death of a loved one
- Being discriminated/ bullied
- Physical, mental and emotional abuse
- Calamities
- Being neglected
- Being involved in violence
Recognizing the signs
Often, people who are harboring emotional and psychological wounds show specific behavioral and emotional signs:
- Nightmares and trouble sleeping
- Stresses out quickly or has a high level of irritability
- Isolation
- Self-blame or feeling of shame
- Struggling with anger
- Low self-esteem
- Anxiety
- Extreme paranoia or hypervigilance
- Difficulty controlling emotions
- Panic attacks
Paths to healing together
Seeing one or several of these signs in your partner might discourage you and feel unnerving. However, healing can come in the form of love and kindness. It may take time, but here are some approaches to start with:
- Create an emotionally and physically safe environment
Trauma survivors need to be constantly assured that they are in a secure place, as safety and comfort reduce the feeling of distress. - Keep an open and loving communication
Your partner with a traumatic experience will gain a better understanding of their emotions, thus opening the door for open and clear communication. - Engage in fun, constructive activities
Whether it’s a day at the beach, cooking together, or watching TV, joyful bonding moments lessen feelings of anxiety and bad moods. - Offer support in managing their triggers
Practicing meditation or breathwork together can help calm their body’s fear response, guiding them to self-soothe. - Share the idea of mindfulness
This technique involves connecting with the world and your senses rather than with what’s happening in your head. One popular routine is the “5-4-3-2-1” routine.
Here’s how it’s done: your partner should acknowledge 5 things they see, 4 things they can feel, 3 things they can hear, 2 things they can smell, and 1 thing they can taste. Doing this can calm them down.
Worried, helpless, and disappointed – these are what we may feel when our loved one is traumatized. To say it’s an unwanted guest in a relationship is an understatement, and healing doesn’t come easy. But the power of love can do wonders, accompanied by dedication, compassion, and a conscious effort to help.
Remember that healing from trauma is easier with support. Don’t forget to seek professional help if needed.
Struggling with these symptoms? You don’t have to navigate this alone. Book a quick, 10-minute care navigation call with Arbor Wellness Mental Healthcare today.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bullying
https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma
https://www.apa.org/topics/trauma/stress
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/trust
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/bullying
https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/mindfulness
https://www.nimh.nih.gov/health/publications/panic-disorder-when-fear-overwhelms
https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11795211/
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/insomnia
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4451-panic-attack-panic-disorder
https://www.verywellmind.com/communication-in-relationships-why-it-matters-and-how-to-improve-5218269
https://www.healthline.com/health/signs-of-mental-abuse
https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-shame-5115076
https://www.verywellmind.com/how-trauma-impacts-relationships-6745693
https://www.verywellhealth.com/relationship-trauma-5211576