Making sense of Trauma

Following traumatic events we try and make sense of what has happened to us. We tend to do one of two things to explain and understand what just happened to us. Either we:

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Blame ourselves - if only I hadn't..been drinking, walked down that road, hesitated; If only I had .. spoken up, said no, fought back, walked away

 

or

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Recalibrate our understanding of the world as now dangerous - no-one can be trusted, all driving is dangerous, all relationships are lies, I can't trust myself, no-one will help me.

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We do this so we have an understanding that allows us in some way to carry on functioning in day to day life - if I blame myself at least I know if I get everything right from now on I will be safe..if I avoid relationships no-one can hurt me. It makes sense, but...it can leave us isolated, scared and no longer fully connected with life around us. It can also help perpetuate symptoms of PTSD by continuing in the belief that we're not safe.

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