Experiencing trauma can often make one feel “stuck.” They might find that intrusive thoughts about their trauma interrupt them when they try to focus on other things. In some cases, they may feel afraid to take a new path in life. Trauma can make you put your guard up, which makes it difficult to break out of your comfort zone. This is your brain’s protective mechanism, and although this trauma response is rooted in self-preservation, shielding yourself from new experiences can make it impossible to grow as a person.
Maybe you feel like living through trauma has ultimately held you back. Here’s why trauma can impede personal growth and learning.
Fear of Trying New Things
Simply put, trauma can make you fearful. This is not a personal failing – for your brain, it’s a rational response to trauma. You don’t want to experience the same situation again. Therefore, you’re hesitant to step outside of your comfort zone and pursue something new. Your brain tells you that it might be dangerous, and you might even feel panicked when you think about making a big change. But when you can’t open yourself up to new possibilities, you can’t move forward and become who you were meant to be.
Concerns About Forming New Relationships
Perhaps someone you previously trusted caused your trauma. You might have been betrayed, let down in a time of serious need, or even physically harmed. Now, the thought of trying to form new relationships is almost paralyzing. You don’t want to connect with someone new and put your trust in them, only to suffer the same betrayal once again. Yet meeting new people and learning from them can be a powerful mode of personal growth.
Physical Health Symptoms
Trauma can cause panic attacks, night terrors, and physical aches and pains. If you’re suffering physically, your pain can feel all-encompassing at times. You might avoid certain places or situations because you fear that encountering stressors will trigger a panic attack. Perhaps you have trouble sleeping because night terrors and flashbacks wake you up. Maybe you even have chronic muscle aches or migraines that started after experiencing trauma. Physical pain can hold you back from pursuing new opportunities.
Trouble With Memory or Concentration
Ever since experiencing trauma, you might feel like it’s getting harder to retain information. Maybe you struggle to keep up with everything you need to do at work, even if you used to be very organized and conscientious. Perhaps you often find yourself forgetting about responsibilities you have to take care of around the house, or favors that you’ve promised loved ones slip your mind. The thought of taking a class and studying for assignments, tackling a big creative project, or aiming for a promotion at work just seems overwhelming. Trauma can have a debilitating impact on your ability to concentrate and remember details.
Feeling Like You Can’t Move On
Overall, you might feel like trauma has put your life on pause. You worry that you will always be defined by a particular experience, and no matter what you try to do, you will never be able to truly move on. Many people believe that their trauma will always hold them back. Yet this belief can become a self-fulfilling prophecy. You are not too broken to heal or build a brighter future for yourself. With support, you can start your healing journey and create a new vision of your life.
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Do you feel like trauma has inhibited your personal growth? Working with a therapist can help. Reach out to us today to discuss your options for scheduling your first session.
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