Many people who come to the office of Dr. James Campbell, LLC do so because they are looking for help in processing a traumatic experience. However, not everyone knows the problems they are experiencing are rooted in trauma, as the general public’s ideas about trauma and how it works are not always accurate. If you want to know what people often get wrong about trauma, keep reading this article.
- Mistake #1: If it’s not life-threatening, it doesn’t count as trauma. – The first thing many get wrong about trauma is assuming an experience doesn’t “count” as traumatic if it didn’t put your life in danger. Many people believe only things like combat, armed robberies, or major car accidents can be traumatic. This is not the case, as many people develop symptoms of trauma from “smaller” experiences such as a divorce or a bad relationship.
- Mistake #2: Only weak people experience trauma. – Another wrong idea people have about trauma is that if you experience trauma or post-traumatic stress, it means you are weak. Some people are more susceptible to trauma than others, but what makes someone more or less vulnerable is not their inherent “strength” but a combination of several factors, such as their level of access to resources and support. Dealing with trauma doesn’t say anything about your character as a person.
- Mistake #3: Trauma lasts forever. – Lastly, many people believe trauma will continue to affect you for the rest of your life. While some people do experience lasting effects from their trauma, this is usually due to a lack of effective support and care. If you seek help for your trauma, you can learn to alleviate or manage your symptoms in healthy ways, and you can greatly improve your quality of life.