The trauma caused by abuse or neglect can affect a person’s ability to trust others in the future. It may be difficult for them to form and maintain close relationships because of this. However, people who experience anxiety from trauma deserve friendship, intimacy, and support like everyone else. Use this guide to support your partner if they are a survivor. Take advantage of the Wellthy Mood Journal, which is the safe approach that she designed was created to help you evaluate four specific areas of your life in order to balance out your mood.
How Trauma Can Affect Romantic Relationships
Trauma can take many forms, and it affects people differently. Survivors often isolate themselves from others and avoid physical or emotional intimacy. Even if they’re in a relationship, this keeps them from getting hurt again, but it also makes them lonely.
Trauma can result in heightened emotional reactions to common situations, leading to frequent disagreements and difficulty talking through issues. They sometimes doubt their partner’s love and commitment due to unresolved issues. A person who has experienced trauma may find it difficult to accept romantic feelings, even if they’re given frequent, genuine reassurance. Consequently, both partners may feel confused, frustrated, sad, or helpless.
How to Be There for Your Partner
Avoid Retraumatization
Re-traumatization occurs when a person re-experiences a previously traumatic event, this can occur either consciously or unconsciously. When retraumatization occurs, it can often be caused by stressors that are similar to the environment or circumstance of the original trauma, such as:
- Smell
- Physical space
- Lighting
- Imagery,
- Memory
- A relationship that mimics a previously traumatic one
Be Patient
It is important to remember that your partner feels uncertainty due to trauma, and neither of you is at fault. You can’t fix their trauma, and it may take time and therapy for them to recover.
Ground Them
Don’t ignore or downplay their feelings, but always provide emotional support. Being there for your partner when they’re feeling anxious or experiencing flashbacks can help them feel grounded when they’re triggered. Provide items to calm them, such as a weighted blanket, favorite food, or a glass of water.
Take Care of Yourself
Don’t take it personally if your partner distances themselves when they’re upset. It does not reflect what they think about you or your relationship. It is also possible to obtain guidance through counseling. You can take care of your mental health and support your significant other at the same time.
Be Mindful of Re-traumatization
Take note that mindfulness is also a valuable asset for trauma survivors. By utilizing mindfulness, you can help your loved one enhance present-moment awareness, reduce anxiety, increase self-compassion, and strengthen a person’s ability to self-regulate important skills that support trauma recovery.
