Principles for Recovering from Trauma, Part 1

“The following principles come from Firestone´s research on recovery from trauma, including the mechanisms of inherited trauma. Firestone is a Jungian analyst, rabbi, and the daughter of Holocaust survivors and she draws on the latest findings in neuroscience and psychology, that offer readers hope, understanding, and the means to discover how suffering can be transformative.

Below are common denominators that Firestone found in her research subjects who thrived again after their tragedies, having transformed their lives.

Facing the loss
More than anything, directly facing our losses initiates the process of healing. This first principle means resisting our friends’ well-intentioned urges to get back to work or “get on with life.” We must give ourselves the gift of time and ride the waves of pain.

Harnessing our pain
Once we face our losses, we may encounter intense pain. Because trauma disconnects us from our bodies, there’s a tendency to numb out. The alternative is to re-inhabit our physical selves. Physical exercise and self-care are paramount. The pain made conscious can turn into fuel.

Finding new community
We may find ourselves changed by our trauma, and there is no going back to how we used to be. We have to find people who understand us. Because traumatic experiences often leave us with a sense of shame or isolation, finding authentic connections with people who can hear and hold us compassionately is essential. The people I worked with felt a need to build a new social network, to find other like-minded people.

Resisting fear, blame, and dehumanization
Unprocessed trauma can leave us permanently defensive. The human tendency to other people around us is the obvious next step. But that leaves us isolated, self-righteous, and lonely. Those who do the hard work of healing their traumas succeed in melting the walls of separation and resisting hatred for those who hurt them.”

Read the whole article at Psychology Today

#Trauma #Healing #Recovery #MentalHealth

💬 What are your thoughts on these 4 principles?