A note from Brandi:
This reflection is shared for education, encouragement, and personal reflection. It discusses trauma, body memory, anxiety, flashbacks, emotional distress, and healing. It is not therapy, clinical advice, crisis care, medical advice, or a substitute for professional support.
What is a Traumaversary?
A traumaversary is the anniversary of some sort of trauma in your life. It can be connected to deployment, abuse, a car accident, traumatic pregnancy or birth, a house fire, neglect, or many other painful experiences. A traumaversary does not mean you are obsessing over the past. It is simply something that you haven’t resolved and your body keeps the score.
Common Traumaversary Symptoms
Symptoms of a traumaversary can vary from sadness, anger (another topic for another day), anxiety, hypervigilance, insomnia or hypersomnia, flashbacks, nightmares, guilt, and even can manifest itself in a physical illness. The book, The Body Keeps the Score is not a fun read but it is interesting and it does drive home these concepts.
I explain it to people who have never heard this word before in a way that it is easy to understand. When they call me for an appointment, they are usually in some sort of acute stress. When we get to talking, I ask if they remember feeling this way at the same time, every year. 9/10 times, they do feel the same way and they can’t figure it out.
When we get to digging, there is usually something that occurred, way back when, that their body is remembering/reacting to even though they hadn’t cognitively thought about that issue since it occurred. They pushed it WAY down and stuffed it away. However, their body remembers.
How to Support Yourself Through It
There are ways to cope. First, acknowledge the event and that it no longer has power over you. Talking it out…not talking it to death over and over again but just one time from start to finish. When you get the thoughts out through tears, words, writing, or a safe conversation, it can help your body and mind stop carrying it alone. Again, you are not giving it power over you. A lot of times, just talking it out and saying it out loud to another set of ears releases you from that bondage.
Every person wants to be seen, heard, and, validated in their experiences. When they are, it releases you from the prison that the trauma has placed you in. I want you to remember that you are normal. There is nothing wrong with you. Have grace and compassion with yourself, practice self-care, do something for others, or just take a nap or long shower.
You are not alone. Knowledge is power. You are no longer a slave to your past. Plant your feet firmly in the present and look towards your future. That is where hope lives.
Mental Health Disclaimer:
This post is educational and informational only. It does not provide therapy, clinical advice, crisis care, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Reading this blog does not create a therapist-client relationship with Barefoot Faith Journey or Circle of Hope Counseling Services. If you are in crisis or immediate danger, call 911, call or text 988, or go to your nearest emergency room.
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