Three Phases of Trauma Recovery
When someone experiences a distressing event that significantly impacts their life in some way, the path to healing can be long and difficult. Everyone’s experiences are unique, but there are some common stages that most people go through in their recovery. Keep in mind that these stages are not always linear – you likely will not pass through a stage and never experience it again, but the hope is that over time you will spend more and more time in the later stages and that aspects of the earlier stages become an increasingly rare event. (Much of the information in this blog entry is from this source).
The first stage of recovery trauma is establishing safety. This is the most basic stage but can sometimes be the most difficult, and must be worked through before there can be progress on any later stages. This stage focuses on re-establishing the sense of control that so often is disrupted during a traumatic experience. During this stage, the person will focus on meeting basic needs (such as for food, sleep, etc.) and stopping harmful behaviors (such as disordered eating, cutting, or abusing substances). Then, the focus can turn to control of the environment, which can include building a stable support system and feeling safe in work and living situations.
The second stage is that of remembrance, mourning, and telling the story of the trauma. Once the person feels comfortable, they can begin to talk about their trauma using details that they are comfortable with. Telling the story allows the person to feel less alone with what they are experiencing, and to begin to mourn what was lost due to the trauma. These can be material things, such as a home, possessions, money, etc. They also are commonly less tangible things, such as relationships, trust, and a general sense of safety in the world.
The third stage of recovery focuses on reconnecting with others. Trauma, particularly that which is caused intentionally by another person, can interfere significantly with the survivor’s ability to trust others and connect with them on an intimate level. Even if trauma symptoms are mostly gone, in order to live a full life it can be important to rebuild skills for trusting others who are safe, and building healthy connections with others.
As you move through these stages, please have patience with yourself and remember that it is normal and expected to move back and forth between stages at different points in life, or even to be in multiple stages in the same day. Recovery is different for everyone, but we all can find ways to move through difficult experiences and find meaning and fulfillment in our lives.
