Surviving a traumatic event is challenging all on its own. But each day, trauma survivors are expected to continue with their daily lives as though nothing has changed for them. They struggle with feeling overwhelmed, afraid, and lonely, and experience consistent emotional ups and downs.
It should come as no surprise that so many trauma survivors struggle with self-destructive behaviors. Due to their traumatic experiences, they tend to believe that their well-being isn’t important. In fact, their only purpose in life is to be used by others, and their Parts support this belief.
Common Self-Destructive Behaviors for Trauma Victims
It is very common for trauma victims to battle any or several of the following:
Unfortunately, the tendency in most therapy settings is to treat the disorder itself without addressing the underlying cause of it. For example, only in the last decade or so have addiction treatment programs started offering trauma therapy. Prior to this shift, mental health and substance abuse were commonly viewed as separate conditions and treated independently of each other.
The result was that many individuals would experience constant relapses because the root cause of their drug or alcohol abuse was either ignored completely or not connected to their traumatic responses. And even though that has changed in recent years, there is still so much more work that needs to be done to ensure patients and clients get the right kind of trauma therapy.
The Link Between Self-Destructive Behaviors and Trauma
One of the questions trauma victims exhibiting compulsive, self-destructive behaviors often ask is – why?
When a person feels so alone, vulnerable, and helpless, they often feel they have no resources outside of themselves. Their Parts are tasked with handling much of the emotional load, but in doing so, they experience a sense of numbness and feeling disconnected from the Self.
In addition, self-destructive behaviors offer a sense of release or relief from the pain of the trauma. It is very common to hear people who engage in self-injury say that the pain they experience makes them feel better. In many cases, what they really mean is that it makes them feel something. They have become so used to that feeling of numbness, that even having physical pain is an improvement in their minds.
A lot of trauma victims feel trapped because of the events they’ve lived through and endured. Self-destructive behaviors can help them feel more in control, and even those who are experiencing suicidal thoughts may prefer thoughts of dying to continuing in their current states.
Trauma Therapy Can Help
If you are a trauma victim who is engaging in self-destructive behaviors, it may feel as though there is no way out. However, please be assured that help is available and the Internal Family Systems model of trauma therapy has shown to be highly effective.
Self-destruction will only lead you down a dangerous road filled with more trauma. Please contact me today to make an appointment and get started on the path toward healing.
