Trauma Awareness - Tumblr Posts

First step to supporting survivors is by understanding that we all come with different reactions towards our trauma and/or abusers.

Understand that if you meet one survivor, you have only met one survivor and that we aren’t monoliths. You cannot compare one survivor to another. We’re all incredibly different.

Understand that one survivor can be incredibly complex, and have conflicting/contradicting feelings and thoughts.

Understand that brains are an incredibly complex organ that we still don’t fully understand, and that trauma and/or abuse can heavily impact our brain and who we are as people. This isn’t something that someone can just “get over,” because it has impacted the very organ we navigate every corner of our existence with.

Understand sometimes people look fondly on their most traumatic years/moments, this is normal and absolutely not indicative that the individual isn’t suffering.

Understand some survivors still love the people who traumatized them and some may be uncomfortable with you insulting the people who have hurt them. We all have different boundaries when it comes to our abusers.

Understand that survivors often swing between love and hatred, and overall have complicated feelings about their abusers.

Understand that everyone’s circumstances are different and that not every survivor can readily leave their traumatic/abusive environments. Some of us will never escape for a multitude of reasons.

Understand that some of us will never lead a “normal” life because of what happened.

Understand that you’re not going to fully ‘understand’ but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t offer your support and a listening ear. You don’t have to ‘get’ something to be compassionate towards someone who has suffered and is still suffering.

it’s always “ mental health matters ” until someone develops vaginismus , hypersexuality and / or cnc because of trauma . the brain can react in strange ways , you know .

you can set boundaries for your own comfort and safety of course , just remember everyone’s brain reacts differently to similar situations , so please don’t judge someone for that if you joke about your trauma as a coping mechanism .

disclaimer : i know these don’t always happen because of trauma , but in some cases , they do , that’s why i wanted to post this .

“everyone go report this post for suicidal idealization right now so that the police can find their IP address and go to their house . you have no excuse not to reblog this and if you ignore it you are a bad person” do you actually know how messed up that wording is ?? I know you are trying to help , but you are both making people with OCD heavily uncomfortable and you could potentially be putting someone’s life at risk . some of us need to vent online because we cannot afford a therapist and we live in abusive households . our abusers would act all sad in front of the police to us dealing with suicidal thoughts , but you don’t want to know how our abusers would react once the police left . it can be heavily dangerous for both minors and even adults . the fact that we can’t even trust people online to keep us and our secrets safe due to a vent post is disheartening . don’t make our safe place into an unsafe place .

“why don’t you contact any of your irl friends or an association that can help you ?” I did . for years in a row . and you know what ? I only wasted my time and energy because a lot of people love to pretend they care , but they won’t even check in your direction when you are hanging between life or death . “just get a job to afford your own house” well , what do you think I am trying to do ? as if getting my own place will actively stop abusers anyway . even if people like me do manage to leave , a whole bunch of us is currently dealing with trauma bonding , which will most likely make us regret leaving and we may go back to our source of pain because the abuse is familiar and our brain doesn’t know what to do or who we are if we are not actively being abused . for the record , most of us are not allowed to go away in the first place .

may I mention , a lot of people will suicide bait you , so please be careful who you put your energy into . there’s people who enjoy themselves when they see you suffering for them , and they will keep the act for as long as you allow them to . if you genuinely feel that someone is lying about suicide , take care of yourself first . I am begging you .

also , tag your stuff correctly . I sometimes forget to tag triggers when reposting something , but I always check later if it’s necessary to tag anything that I might have missed . if I have missed an important tag in a post , let me know . anyway , if you wouldn’t like to accidentally get triggered , well , then don’t do something you know will trigger others on purpose just because you didn’t bother taking five seconds of your time to add a couple of hashtags . I am tired of seeing posts about suicide when I am not in the mood .

This might suck to hear, but if you're a people pleaser that is motivated by praise and avoids disagreements, you are easy to manipulate.

When I was in therapy after surviving years of domestic violence, my therapist had to tell me that my personality was primed for abuse and we needed to work on that so I would be better equipped to see the red flags and respond appropriately in the future.

I'm still working on this, and it's been 8 years. If you tell someone how you want to be treated, what behaviors you don't tolerate in your life, what you're looking for in that relationship, and they react negatively, don't compromise yourself. Just move on.

This one's for all the praise-kink girlies: differentiate, self-actualize, stay sexy

Understanding Trauma and Exploring Strategies for Healing

Shaina Tranquilino

October 24, 2023

Trauma is a powerful, life-altering experience that can leave lasting emotional, psychological, and even physical scars. It can be caused by various events such as accidents, abuse, violence, natural disasters, or the loss of a loved one. While each person's experience with trauma is unique, it often leads to feelings of fear, helplessness, and disrupted daily functioning. However, there is hope for healing and growth. In this blog post, we will delve into what trauma is and explore strategies to navigate through its aftermath.

Defining Trauma: Trauma refers to an event or series of events that overwhelm an individual's ability to cope effectively. It disrupts their sense of safety and security. Such experiences trigger intense emotions and physiological responses that may persist long after the traumatic event has occurred. Common symptoms include intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, hypervigilance, anxiety disorders, depression, mood swings, and difficulty trusting others.

Recognizing the Impact: It's crucial to acknowledge that everyone processes trauma differently; what may be traumatic for one person might not have the same effect on another. Therefore, it's essential to validate personal experiences and offer support without judgment or comparison. Understanding the impact of trauma helps individuals develop empathy towards themselves and others who have gone through similar challenges.

Strategies for Healing:

Seek Professional Help: Trauma recovery often requires professional assistance from therapists specializing in trauma-focused therapy techniques like Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), or Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). These therapeutic approaches empower individuals to process their trauma safely while developing coping mechanisms.

Practice Self-Care: Engaging in self-care activities can promote healing by nurturing your mind, body, and spirit. This includes getting adequate restorative sleep, maintaining a balanced diet rich in essential nutrients, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring joy and relaxation. Self-care also encompasses setting healthy boundaries, practicing mindfulness or meditation, and seeking support from loved ones.

Connect with Support Networks: Sharing your experiences with trusted friends, family members, or support groups can reduce feelings of isolation and provide a sense of belonging. Surrounding yourself with empathetic individuals who validate your emotions helps rebuild trust and foster a supportive environment for healing.

Cultivate Resilience: Building resilience is an integral part of trauma recovery. Engaging in activities such as journaling, art therapy, or participating in support groups can enhance self-awareness and personal growth. Seeking out positive role models who have overcome similar traumas can inspire hope and motivate you to move forward.

Practice Mindfulness Techniques: Incorporating mindfulness techniques into your daily routine can help manage stress levels and regulate emotional responses triggered by traumatic memories. Breathing exercises, grounding techniques, yoga, or meditation can promote relaxation, self-reflection, and emotional stability.

Trauma is a harrowing experience that disrupts lives but navigating through it is possible with proper understanding and support. Healing from trauma requires patience, self-compassion, professional guidance, and the implementation of various coping strategies tailored to individual needs. Remember that everyone's journey is unique; there is no predefined timeline for healing from trauma. By embracing these strategies and cultivating resilience within ourselves, we can embark on a path towards healing, growth, and reclaiming our lives.