Drawing The Positives From A Trauma

Having a traumatic experience in your life can have a detrimental effect on your daily living.

People who have been through trauma must find tools so that they can keep working, and retain relationships. It’s not an easy thing to do, given the mental scars caused by a trauma.

We all have events in life, and we can choose how to respond to them.

One common example is the percentage of military with PTSD. As a 2022 report points out: “6% or 3 in every 50 American adults will have gone through PTSD or post-traumatic stress disorder at some point in their lives.” In addition, 11% to 23% of military veterans have experienced PTSD within a given year. Finally, the rate of PTSD for female military veterans is nearly twice as high as civilian women.

Here’s another example:

One of the biggest events in the life of a young adult is getting their first driving license. It’s a rite of passage that gives you a ticket to freedom, and many people take advantage of this freedom by jumping into the car and driving quickly – the wrong thing to do.

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Finding Positives

When it comes to being in a car accident – or dealing with family members who have been in car accidents – is that there are positives to be drawn from the event.

One positive is finding a community of people who can help you. As an example, finding the right injury lawyer can help you recover financial damages, if you’re injured in an accident and incur medicals bills and lost wages.

Another positive is finding medical professionals who can help you push past your demons and feel better about your life experiences. There are ways to overcome every life’s challenges, and you don’t have to wait for a particular time to do it.

If you are ready to try and see the positives after a road accident, you can turn the negative in your life into something positive. Here are some strategies to change your outlook:

Why a Support System Works

After every traumatic event in life, you seek out those who are there for you to lean on. Your support group may be family or friends, or a group of co-workers. The problem with an accident is it may mean a long recovery time, and you may not always be able to keep your job.

It’s not because your employer wants to let you go, but simply that you may not be able to continue to work physically. This can affect your mental health as well as your financial status, so you need to know who you can lean on.

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When Group Therapy Is an Option

You can get involved in group activities that equip you to deal with the effects of trauma and get your life back on track. This therapy can be effective, because of the shared experiences that are discussed in the group. Therapy, along with diet, exercise, and positive activities, can speed up the healing process after a traumatic event.

The Dangers of Regression

In sprite of your best efforts, you may occasionally regress and feel the effects of trauma. Stress about finances, your health, or your relationships can trigger feelings of anxiety and depressions. Talk with your primary care physician about referrals to mental health professionals who can help you overcome an emotional setback.

Stay With Your Program

Trauma can change your life, your work, and your finances- but it doesn’t mean it has to change you entirely. Get the help you need and look for positives that can result from your traumatic experience and recovery. Find a system to improve your physical and mental health, and stick with your plan.

This post is for educational purposes only.

Ken Boyd

Author: Cost Accounting for Dummies, Accounting All-In-One for Dummies, The CPA Exam for Dummies and 1,001 Accounting Questions for Dummies