Fading Scars Of The Past: Living Well With PTSD

If you’ve ever had surgery, you might be familiar with scarring from intensive procedures. Traumatic experiences can also leave emotional scars, which may require ongoing support and therapy to fully address. 

For many, ignoring scars won’t make them go away. However, healing can happen if you are able to successfully acknowledge and treat them. Over time, with the right tools and perseverance, many may find that it is possible to fade the scars of your past. 

Below, we’ve summarized what that process might look like for many. We've also summarized different types of trauma and their possible effects as well as the positive impact that online therapy can have. 

Fading scars from the past: Is it necessary? 

Taking the appropriate steps to cope with the effects of traumatic events as they arise can be helpful to one’s overall well-being. Unresolved trauma can lead to mental health issues like depression, anxiety disorders, or PTSD. These conditions may prolong the painful feelings that often come along with trauma, which is why early intervention can be so important. If you aren’t sure where to start, you may consider reaching out to someone you trust to find help and support—such as in peer groups or in online therapy.

Whether it is a friend, family, or therapist, telling someone how you are feeling can be an important step in your healing journey. However, it can be common to sense that you’re not ready to talk things through quite yet—especially in the wake of a long-term or acute trauma.

Types of therapy for processing trauma

Certain types of therapy can help you process traumatic events effectively. Some of these can include:

It is helpful to remember that you are not what happened to you. Traumatic events can be a part of your life that you did not seek. Online therapy can be a helpful tool to help you overcome your traumatic experiences, as well as the other supportive strategies on this list. 

Types of trauma

There can be many different types of trauma, each of which can be difficult in its own way. Trauma can also affect everyone differently across types, meaning that it can be impossible to predict how someone will respond to or be impacted by a traumatic event. In some cases, the trauma is so severe or goes on so long that it causes post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

The most commonly reported traumatic events that can cause PTSD for many can include:

• PTSD from bullying
• Physical abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Psychological abuse
• Natural disasters (such as a tornado, earthquake, flood or hurricane)
• Car accidents
• Military combat
• Rape
• Assault
• Kidnapping
• Workplace hostility
• Discrimination or harassment 

Who can be a survivor?

Anyone can be a survivor of traumatic events, no matter what their age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, or background may be. However, certain populations might be more at risk of experiencing trauma. These populations can include veterans, those belonging to the LGBTQIA+ community, low-income individuals, homeless youth, and those with substance use disorders. Children might also be vulnerable to adverse events, such as abuse, as their brains may still be forming. Even if the child is not the target of the abuse, just witnessing the abuse can be traumatic enough to cause PTSD or other mental health conditions. While this can have an effect, online therapy can be helpful in supporting and restoring one’s mental health. Other supportive therapies can also be helpful on a per patient basis. Not all trauma might be as obvious as physical abuse can be. Emotional or psychological abuse can also occur, but the effects of these types of abuse may be more hidden. 

If you are struggling with substance use, contact the SAMHSA National Helpline at (800) 662-4357 to receive support and resources. Support is available 24/7.

Schools have been identified by many to be a breeding ground for bullying. Recent studies suggest that children who are bullied at school may be at an increased risk for lower academic performance, fewer social interactions and possible emotional scarring. Keeping an awareness of this front of mind can empower teachers to take the steps needed to address bullying behavior in the classroom. Those who are operating in hostile work environments can also be survivors of trauma. While can be a common occurrence in offices across the world, the abuse might not be discussed for the same reason that many other survivors may not discuss their abuse—fear of repercussions. 

Those who might be affected by a hostile work environment might also have reduced work performance, poorer mental health, and may even show signs of physical ailments. Human resource officers and managers can take preventative steps to address workplace bullying or hostility, prompting a more welcoming environment where all contributions can be accepted.

Post-traumatic stress disorder

All traumas can have the potential to cause post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. PTSD is generally defined as a mental health condition that can be triggered by a traumatic event and can occur at any age. Symptoms of PTSD are thought by many to have four different groups, which can include reliving events, avoiding certain things, developing negative thoughts, and hypersensitivity. More specific symptoms might fall under each of these categories, which we’ve summarized below:

• Experiencing flashbacks or bad memories
• Having nightmares or night terrors
• Avoiding talk, objects, or contexts related to difficult memories
• Struggling with intrusive thoughts or feelings (i.e., guilt, shame, paranoia, fear, anger)
• Feeling physically "on edge" or numb

How can online therapy help someone who is experiencing trauma? 

Healing from trauma can be a lengthy and difficult process, but it’s not something you have to do alone. Many people turn to therapy to talk about what they’ve been through and to process their thoughts with a professional. An online BetterHelp therapist can work with you to decide which treatment plans might be most effective for your recovery. This might set online therapy apart as a preferable option for many, especially when compared to in-person therapeutic methods. 

Is online therapy effective? 

Online therapy can be useful for helping individuals experiencing a variety of concerns, including those who have experienced trauma. One study published in BioMed Central Psychiatry considered the success of an internet-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Researchers found that online interventions can be effective in reducing symptoms associated with PTSD, such as distress, anxiety disorders, and depression. Additionally, the researchers noted a “strong therapeutic alliance” between therapist and patient, which may not be as quickly established as it can be with virtual methods of therapy.