You’re not alone - up to 60% of adults report having experienced some kind of abuse or other difficulty that was traumatic in their childhood. That’s more than half of us - so although you may feel overwhelmed or sad when you start to realize your childhood experiences weren’t ideal, it’s important to remember that what you experienced is common and it’s okay to talk about it.
Ground Yourself
It’s completely possible that you feel disconnected from your body and your experience. This is really common in processing trauma. It’s important to spend some time grounding yourself in the here and now - and one simple way to do that is by engaging all your senses and being mindful of your body and surroundings.
Name 5 things you can see
Name 4 things you can touch
Name 3 things you can hear
Name 2 things you can smell
Name 1 thing you can taste
You can do this activity anytime you’re feeling overwhelmed, confused, or like your feelings are out of control.
Talk to Someone
A lot of times, we need to talk to a therapist when we remember traumatic events, or start realizing that our experiences in childhood aren’t as typical as we thought they were. It’s important to have someone who is trained in trauma so that if you begin to experience more severe symptoms you can be monitored and receive the care you need. Just like if you had an injury resurface, you may need the help of a professional to get through.
If you find yourself disturbed but not open to therapy, you may want to talk to a trusted friend or family member about what you’re experiencing. Sometimes simply saying the words out loud and getting things off our chest can be incredibly helpful.
Know that Healing is Possible
At Niyyah, we have worked with people who have experienced really difficult childhoods, and they have moved on to live healthy, fulfilled, and happy lives after doing their work in therapy. A lot of times when people experience trauma in childhood, they begin to think that they will carry it with them forever. With experience, compassion and the help of evidence based practices, the therapists at Niyyah can help guide you toward healing and wholeness - giving you some relief from the painful circumstances you’ve encountered. We are proud to have therapists trained in EMDR therapy (click here to read more about EMDR) - a therapy that has been named as the most effective treatment for PTSD. Set a consultation today to see if one of our therapists may be a good fit for you - healing and wholeness is possible, and we would love to walk with you on your journey toward that healing.
Click here to meet our trauma informed therapists and book your appointment today.