Is It Time to Share Your Trauma History With Someone? – A Trauma Therapist’s Thoughts
No matter how long ago you went through a traumatic experience, it isn’t always easy to talk about. That can be especially true if you’re trying to figure out when to share your trauma history with a romantic partner or someone else close to you.
People with a trauma history can feel everything from shame and guilt to embarrassment and fear about what happened to them. Even if you know it wasn’t your fault, those feelings can creep in when you consider sharing your story with someone, making you second guess yourself quickly.
How can you tell if it’s the right time to share your trauma history with someone? And if it is, how can you go about doing it in a way that will make you feel safe and secure?
Think About Why You Want to Share Your Trauma History
If you’re considering sharing your trauma history with someone, one essential thing to do is consider why you want to do so.
What is your motive for wanting to open up about it? Believe it or not, that can make a big difference in recognizing whether it’s the right time or not.
If you want to tell someone only to determine if they still want to be in your life, even though you have “baggage,” it isn’t the right time. Unfortunately, that can open up old memories and wounds about your trauma that you may not be ready for.
However, a potential good reason to share is if someone has earned your trust and you are ready to tell them as part of moving forward in your healing process. If you feel that opening up about what you went through will help you to move forward, that’s a great sign that you’re ready to retake control of your life.
Additionally, you may want to share your trauma history with a significant other if you want him or her to understand why you respond the way you do in triggering situations. Letting them in on more information about your history can help them understand you better, and comprehend why you behave the way you do.
Do You Know How to Manage Your Trauma Responses?
When individuals share their trauma history with others, it is possible that they will not have an ideal response. They may not be entirely sure how to respond. But, if they care about you, they will want to be sensitive to the subject and your needs.
Are you prepared for whatever response they might give you? Are you willing to answer questions, even if it might trigger some of your trauma responses? If so, consider whether you know how to manage those responses.
Your trauma responses can be either physical or emotional. Some trauma survivors find themselves shaking, or their heart begins to race. Others feel immeasurable amounts of sadness or guilt.
If you don’t yet have a handle on your responses, it might not be the best time to talk to share your trauma history. If you are struggling to figure out how to cope when you are triggered, trauma therapy can be a great resource for developing these skills.
Who Are You Sharing Your Trauma History For?
Trauma is an incredibly personal thing. Therefore, talking to someone about it needs to be just as unique. Please don’t open up about your trauma history because you think it will benefit someone else or because you feel that you owe it to someone.
Instead, deciding to share your experience with someone needs to be all about you. No one else will ever fully know what you went through. So, if you’re opening up because you feel you owe it to someone, you don’t. You owe it to yourself to take your time and talk about your history when you are ready.
Begin therapy for trauma in Duluth, GA
You don’t have to go on being haunted by your past. Counseling can help you move forward and reduce your anxiety. As an trauma therapist, I specialize in the treatment of trauma and PTSD. To start your therapy journey, follow these simple steps:
Click this Contact Me link.
Book a free, 15 minute phone consultation with me to talk more about what you are looking for from therapy and to ask me any questions you have for me about the process.
Schedule your first therapy session to begin the process of overcoming your past.
Other services available from Ginny Kington, Psy.D.
Therapy for trauma isn’t the only mental health service I provide. Oftentimes, if you are struggling with coping with a history of trauma, you are experiencing a considerable amount of anxiety and/or depression. Individuals who have a history of trauma are also more likely to experience chronic illness. Therapeutic services are available in all of these areas. I am able to provide these services in my office in Duluth, Georgia or online in the following states: Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Washington DC, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
