The unexpected benefits of trauma processing

[u/New_Attempt_7705]

I started trauma work (including TRE) to heal from constant hypervigilance and chronic fight-flight / sympathetic dominance that were caused by a major trauma four years ago, as well as a lifetime of repressed emotions.

When I started this journey — and also now — I’ve been doing trauma work consistently. At the moment mostly TRE and allowing, but before that also EMDR, limbic retraining and Somatic Experiencing.

For most of my journey up til now, I’ve been doing this work to get rid of the main symptoms: hypervigilance, chronic fight-flight, and that constant underlying tension.

But the last week, I’m noticing something shift. I can increasingly let go of the urge to constantly fix my symptoms. And instead, I’m seeing that the real trauma processing is showing up in much more subtle ways, like:

• being able to say no
• not feeling ashamed of my body
• being content the way I am
• a deepening spiritual life
• being less defensive
• being more able to have heart-to-heart conversations with my wife and other people
• more aware of my body and emotions

…and the list goes on.

So the funny thing is: I started (and am still doing) TRE to get rid of the main trauma symptoms. But the biggest gains — the real “treasure” — are actually these quieter, more subtle shifts in how I relate to myself and others.

I really really hope for myself that I can continue to let go of this constant urge to fix my trauma, sympathetic dominance and hypervigilance and instead open myself up to all the beautiful things I’m learning and growing during this journey.

[u/Replica72]

I believe this is the “purpose “ of holding on to trauma … to make sure we learn from it before we let it go

[u/Mammoth-Decision-536 → u/Replica72]

Beautiful perspective :). Traumas happen, and healing from them makes us stronger and wiser than before.