Understanding Trauma: It’s Not Just the Event
Trauma isn’t just about what happened to you, it’s about what keeps happening inside you. After a distressing event, your nervous system can stay on high alert, leaving what some experts call a “frozen residue of energy” in your mind and body. Instead of fading away, the stress response lingers, making you feel like you’re reliving the experience even when you’re safe. Knowing this helps you see that your reactions are normal survival responses, not personal failings.
Common Reactions
• Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks or nightmares that replay the event
• Feeling on edge or easily startled, as if danger is always around the corner
• Emotional swings, anxiety, fear, anger or numbness, and a sense of detachment from loved ones
• Trouble sleeping or constant fatigue because your body stays in “fight or flight"
• Physical symptoms like stomach upset, a racing heart, tense muscles or chronic pain
If these sound familiar, remember: you’re not broken or weak. These are your mind and body trying to protect you from further harm. Together, you and I will calm this alarm system and teach it that it’s safe to relax.
The Agony of Unresolved Trauma
Living with unresolved trauma can be exhausting and isolating. You’re surviving, but not truly living. You might lose hope for the future or feel helpless or perhaps you avoid people or places that remind you of what happened, which can shrink your world and leave you feeling alone. You may blame yourself for the trauma or feel shame, wondering why you “can’t just get over it.” The truth is, trauma is not a weakness and you aren’t “broken” for feeling this way – your brain is simply stuck in protection mode, trying to shield you from further hurt. Unfortunately, this constant state of alarm wreaks havoc on your wellbeing. It can disrupt your work, relationships, and your ability to enjoy life. You might find it hard to concentrate or to trust others. Loved ones might not fully understand what you’re going through, adding to your frustration or loneliness. In some cases, people turn to unhealthy coping methods, like drinking, using substances, or overeating, to numb the pain. But that relief is temporary at best, and often the pain returns stronger. All of this can make you feel trapped in an endless loop of suffering from an event that’s long over.
Healing and Hope
Despite how permanent trauma’s effects may feel, healing is possible. The first step is understanding that your trauma response is not your fault; it’s a natural reaction to something overwhelming. Just as your mind learned to be afraid, it can learn to feel safe again. Many people recover over time, but if you feel stuck, there are gentle ways to help you move forward. Therapy or coaching can guide you to process what happened and release pent‑up fight‑or‑flight energy.
In my role as a hypnotherapist and mental welfare coach, I specialise in helping people overcome trauma and its after effects in a compassionate, non‑clinical setting. We won’t use intimidating jargon or force you to rehash every detail; instead, we focus on calming your nervous system and teaching your brain that it’s safe to let go. Using gentle mind‑body techniques like guided relaxation and hypnosis, you can discharge the pain of the past so it no longer dominates your present. Over time, flashbacks fade, anxiety calms, sleep improves and you regain a sense of normalcy. Healing isn’t about forgetting; it’s about reducing the trauma’s power and reclaiming control over your life. Trauma may have changed you, but it hasn’t destroyed you, there is a path to healing, and together you and I can walk it.
Ready to Begin Your Healing Journey?
You don’t have to do this alone. Healing is possible, and you deserve to feel safe, calm and in control again. If you’re ready to take the next step, together you and I can start your journey toward recovery and renewed strength. My online sessions are content‑free, so there’s no need to relive every detail. From the comfort of your own space, we’ll gently calm your nervous system and build confidence for a brighter future.
Book your free consultation now and let’s discover how we can help you move forward, one peaceful step at a time.
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