How to Deal with Past Trauma
Seek out a Mental Health Professional
Today’s article brothers, is how to deal with past trauma. And I am not approaching this topic as a way to connect with your feminine side.
This is a blog FOR MEN. So here’s how I want to approach this topic…
If you allow anyone to negatively affect you in any way whatsoever, then you just let them trigger past trauma.
Meaning, if there is something that you don’t like in someone else, I want you to watch that VERY CAREFULLY.
Because that tells me that you have a part of you that is EXACTLY like that, whether you want to admit it to yourself or not.
When individuals experience traumatic events, it can have a profound impact on their mental health. This can lead to various conditions, and some may even develop PTSD as a result of these experiences.
Trauma can significantly interfere with daily functioning, affecting relationships, work, and overall well-being.
It is crucial to seek help from a trauma expert to navigate the recovery process and address persistent symptoms effectively.
I personally believe in seeking support from a mental health professional. The reason? They are meant to help you overcome it.
I really consider myself a shadow mentor, than a mental health expert... however, you should consider doing more inner work. This blog will give you insights to unorthodox methods to deal with traumatic events.
Understanding Trauma
Trauma can stem from a single traumatic event, like a natural disaster, sexual assault, or sudden death, or from a series of traumatic events, such as ongoing abuse or neglect. These traumatic experiences can profoundly impact your mental health, leading to symptoms like anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
The Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) offers resources and support for trauma survivors, including information on different trauma treatments and how to find a mental health professional. It’s crucial to recognize the signs and symptoms of traumatic stress reactions, which can affect anyone, regardless of age, background, or circumstances.
The National Center for PTSD provides valuable information on PTSD, including how to treat PTSD and manage its symptoms. Trauma can lead to physical symptoms like difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep, as well as psychological symptoms such as emotional distress and difficulty concentrating.
If you or someone you know has experienced a traumatic event, seeking professional help is essential. A mental health professional can provide the guidance and support needed throughout the recovery process. Psychological First Aid (PFA) is an effective approach that focuses on providing support and assistance after a traumatic event, helping to reduce stress reactions and promote recovery.
Recognizing Common Reactions
Common reactions to traumatic events include feelings of fear, anxiety, and stress, along with physical symptoms like headaches and stomach problems. It’s important to understand that these reactions are normal and can be managed with the right support and treatment.
The Veterans Affairs website offers information on common reactions to traumatic events, including how to manage symptoms and find support. Traumatic stress reactions can be intense and overwhelming, but techniques like deep breathing exercises and relaxation techniques can help manage these stress reactions.
If you or someone you know is experiencing traumatic stress reactions, seeking professional help is crucial. A mental health professional can provide the necessary guidance and support throughout the recovery process. Support groups can also be an effective way to connect with others who have experienced traumatic events, providing a sense of community and understanding.
Remember, everyone’s experience with trauma is unique, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to recovery. By recognizing common reactions to traumatic events, we can better support those who have experienced trauma and promote recovery and well-being.
I am going to bring up a topic no one really talks about because they don't understand it...
How to Deal with Past Trauma with Shadow Work
You need to go back to a time in your life where you let someone traumatize you. You also need to bring it forth and face your shadow of that event. So let’s get started:
- Start shadow journaling
- Meditate to Binaural Beats using Brain.FM
- Feel your emotions come to the surface
- Get to know your triggers surrounding the traumatic event
Here’s what shadow journaling is…
You are getting out your raw honest thoughts on how to deal with past traumas. Utilizing self-help resources can be beneficial in this process.
You are taking a big look in the mirror. When you have an aggressive impulse, you journal out what your thoughts are.
Recovery is a personal journey and happens at one's own pace.
This is shadow journaling. And it’s gotta be done if you have past trauma.
Taking charge of your own recovery is crucial in overcoming past traumas. In fact, I recommend you check out my appearance on the Ask Women Podcast for a deep dive in to shadow work.
How to Deal with Past Trauma
Daily Meditation and Deep Breathing Exercises
You have seen me recommend this before as a masculine mindset habit on my State Training article and for good reason…
Daily meditation is so damn powerful that you will silence compulsive thinking.
But here’s how I want to introduce daily meditation on dealing with past trauma’s. Finding healthy ways to cope with traumatic stress is crucial, and meditation can be an effective strategy.
Close your eyes.
Think about your past trauma.
Face it head on during your meditation.
Conquer your fears surrounding the trauma.
Journal out all of your thoughts and feelings surrounding it.
Adequate sleep is also essential in managing PTSD symptoms. Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and aiming for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night can significantly improve your emotional balance and help you cope with stress.
Here’s how I want you to meditate…
Just focus on your breath work during the meditation, and being relaxed while you face your past trauma during the meditation.
Become one with it. Allow the feelings surrounding the trauma to surface. Now when it manifests, let it happen.
It’s okay to have emotions brothers. In the steps ahead, you will become more indifferent about the incident.
Reframe Your Past Trauma
Now we got through the hardest part. No one likes discovering unresolved feelings surrounding their past trauma’s.
It’s time to reframe the past trauma. Keep your eye’s closed.
Picture the trauma as vividly as you can. It’s time to reframe the trauma as a learning lesson.
That trauma introduced you to adversity. That trauma gave you a gift. It also made you aware of the risk of further trauma if not addressed.
Here’s how you reframe your past trauma’s…
It shaped you in to the man you are today. It gave you character.
You now have substance to your story. Instead of allowing it to victimize your state of mind…
Even if the trauma happened many years ago, it is possible to take steps toward healing and regaining emotional stability.
It's time to relinquish shame behind it. [R]
It's Time to Let it Go
You did some shadow work. You did daily meditation. You reframed it as adversity that didn't break you.
You just proved to yourself you can overcome it.
So now, it's time to let it go completely. In my book 77 Ways to Develop a Masculine Mindset, I give tactical ways to let it go.
However, there's one major key tip I must say about how to deal with past trauma...
Sometimes, you think you did the inner work to overcome trauma, but in some weird way, you catch yourself repeating certain behaviors that cause a response that shows you didn't fully let it go.
So I encourage daily meditation when this happens. Relax, let go, and learn to become emotionally unavailable for your past trauma's.
Building a Support Network
Building a support network is a vital step in recovering from a traumatic event, as it provides a sense of community and understanding. Your support network can include friends, family members, and support groups, offering a safe and supportive environment to process your feelings and emotions.
The National Center for PTSD provides information on how to build a support network, including finding support groups and connecting with others who have experienced traumatic events. Surrounding yourself with supportive and understanding people can provide a sense of comfort and security.
A support network can also offer practical support, such as help with daily tasks and errands, which can be essential in the aftermath of a traumatic event. By building a support network, you can reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness, promoting recovery and well-being.
Remember, building a support network takes time and effort, but it’s an essential step in recovering from a traumatic event. With the right support and guidance, you can build a strong and supportive network that will help you navigate the recovery process and promote overall well-being.
Develop Alpha Indifference
Remember when I said turn off your emotions earlier? What I have been hinting at is stoic detachment.
Be careful here, as I stated in my emotional unavailability article, you can become highly apathetic if you are not careful here.
This is what I mean when I say Alpha Indifference…
Become emotionally nonreactive to anyone who triggers you. Even if they manage to irritate you…
Force yourself to hold back from allowing ANYONE to get under your skin.
No one can get under your skin unless you let it happen.
So here’s what I’ll say here about Alpha Indifference and how it aids in helping getting rid of past trauma…
Know when to turn off your emotions when someone tries to get a rise out of you. Instead, control your anger and develop alpha indifference. This helps manage the fight-or-flight response that often arises from traumatic events.
It’s super fucking attractive when you are stoic and indifferent. So, don’t overlook this.
It takes time to truly never let anyone get a rise out of you and discipline. But it’s worth it in the long run. Seeking professional help is crucial for effective trauma recovering.
The Takeaway: How to Deal with Past Trauma
Dealing with past trauma's is no easy task. You need discipline. In fact, I gave some gold nuggets in this article that are not in 77 Ways to Develop a Masculine Mindset.
However, in my hardcover book, I cover how to come to peace with past traumas.
More importantly, I cover how to deal with past trauma's in a way that applies to relationships.
This article is more related to trauma's in general, doesn't matter what it is.
Just know that you are improving your mindset to higher levels that most people are not doing.
Most men are not willing to do this type of inner work. So pat yourself on the back if you take action.
Feel comfortable to reach out to me through email. And comment below any questions you have.
