How I've Learned To Live and Be Happy Again Despite Traumatic Experiences: Laura's Mental Health Story
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Traumatic experiences can deeply impact a person’s mental health and happiness. However, it is often possible to overcome past traumas and find happiness again. Here, we’ll look at trauma and how it can affect overall happiness. Then, we’ll share how one woman used online therapy to navigate her traumatic experiences and learned to live and be happy again.
What is trauma?
Trauma refers to an emotional response to a distressing event, like an accident, violence, or natural disaster. It can leave people feeling overwhelmed, frightened, and helpless. While some people may process and recover from their experience over time, others may develop more severe reactions, like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
What Is PTSD
PTSD is a condition characterized by persistent and intrusive memories, heightened anxiety, and emotional numbness. However, it’s important to note that not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD.The impact of trauma on physical and mental health
The impact of trauma on physical and mental health
The effects of trauma can be long-lasting and may impact various aspects of a person's life, including their mental and physical health, relationships, and overall well-being. Even without PTSD, individuals might live with symptoms that disrupt their daily lives and happiness.
Many people living with trauma may require support or treatment to heal.Common symptoms of trauma
Every person may react differently to traumatic experiences, but here are some of the most common reactions to trauma.
Cognitive changes: Nightmares, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, mood swings, difficulty concentrating, and memory changes
Behavior changes: Withdrawing from people and activities that once brought you joy and avoiding certain places or people that remind a person of their traumatic experience
Psychological effects: Anxiety, panic attacks, anger, fear, irritability, shock, obsessions and compulsions, detachment, shame, depression, and emotional numbing
Physical problems: Sleep changes, being easily startled, rapid heart rate, unexplained pains, eating changes, muscle tension, hypervigilance, and exhaustion
How trauma can impact one's ability to find happiness
Trauma can significantly impact a person’s happiness. When someone experiences a traumatic event, it can alter their brain’s response to stress and make it more difficult to feel joy or relax. It can also cause numbness and detachment, which can make it hard to find pleasure in the places they used to find it.
The constant state of hypervigilance that often follows trauma can also overshadow positive experiences and make it difficult to feel happy. Trauma can lead to persistent negative feelings, like shame and guilt, and lead to avoidance cycles. It’s understandable how a person who has experienced trauma may struggle to find happiness or feel joy to the degree they did before the trauma.
Treatment options for trauma
There is a wide range of treatment options available for people living with trauma and PTSD, including medication, self-care, and talk therapy. However, the most highly recommended treatment option is cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT).
Several types of CBT exist for PTSD, including traditional CBT, cognitive processing therapy (CPT), cognitive therapy, and prolonged exposure therapy. Other treatment options may include things like eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) therapy and narrative exposure therapy (NET).A newer option that’s provided relief to many people looking to overcome their trauma and find happiness again is online therapy through platforms like BetterHelp.
Laura's experience with BetterHelp
Here’s firsthand experience from a woman named Laura who turned to BetterHelp to work through her traumatic experiences and mental health concerns.
After having two poor experiences with in-person counseling, I completely lost faith that I could get the help I needed. I was apprehensive about giving counseling yet another try, but I came across BetterHelp and decided to give this new form of counseling a go. It was one of the best decisions I have ever made because had I not tried it, I would not have met my BetterHelp counselor, Andy Wurth, and would not be where I am today.
What brought you to BetterHelp?
When I signed up for BetterHelp seven months ago, I sought help with various issues, including depression, anxiety, trauma, relationship issues, and bipolar disorder. I was in a bad relationship then and felt overwhelmed by stress, my children, and previous traumas.
What have you realized since starting online therapy?
Andy helped me realize that I was in an unhealthy and abusive relationship and played a key role in helping me get out of it. I knew that leaving the relationship wouldn't be an immediate fix to my issues, but Andy was there through the repercussions of the breakup and other life challenges that have happened since. Andy helped me through a violent attack by my ex, the recovery from a heart attack, and a traumatic incident involving one of my grandsons.
Have you learned any techniques that have helped you find happiness and relief on your mental health journey?
With everything I have been through, I didn't think I could be where I am today. I am so grateful that BetterHelp matched me with the best counselor for my needs. Andy has taught me breathing techniques and tools to manage stress, ways to better communicate with my children, how to say "no" nicely, and how to deal with trauma and PTSD. With these skills combined, I have learned to stand on my own two feet and fight for myself.
Have you been able to overcome your trauma and live and be happy again?
I am proud to say that because of BetterHelp and Andy's support, I could successfully leave the abusive relationship of 11 years. Andy helped me overcome my fears and helped me find the strength to return to work only one month after the brutal attack on me. I can call myself a survivor rather than a victim of the attack. Words cannot express how thankful I am to Andy for this.
Any final thoughts on your experience with BetterHelp?
My experience with BetterHelp has been nothing short of amazing. Andy had faith in me when I didn't and helped me find the courage, strength, and faith inside me. I look forward to continuing my counseling through BetterHelp as Andy continues to help me deal with and overcome these traumatic events. I encourage anyone who has lost faith in themselves or lost faith in counseling to try BetterHelp because it helped me turn my life around.
Try online therapy with BetterHelp
Consider online counseling if you're concerned about visiting a therapist's office to discuss trauma. Online therapy provides a safe, comfortable environment for discussing traumatic events and the resulting emotions. Research shows online counseling is as effective as in-person counseling for improving symptoms of PTSD. BetterHelp can match you with a licensed counselor to help you explore your feelings and develop coping skills to manage your symptoms.
With BetterHelp, you can communicate with your counselor through text or video chat anywhere you feel safe with an internet connection. You can talk to them in between sessions via in-app messaging if you have questions or concerns, and they’ll get back to you as soon as they can.
Takeaway
“Why am I so unhappy?” Strategies for finding joy and fulfillment
Strategies to help you feel happy again and live a fulfilling life
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