If you’ve experienced trauma, then you’ve also likely been on the receiving end of trauma myths. Someone might have told you that talking about your trauma is just complaining, or that tough love builds character.
These myths and many others aren’t just untrue but can also be damaging. If you want to break free from the trauma myths you’ve been told and may have once even believed, you’re in the right place. Take note of these helpful tips:
Seek Help from Experts
You might understand just how harmful trauma myths in Southern culture can be, but that doesn’t mean you know how to move past them or unlearn harmful mistruths. That’s why seeking help from experts is so important.
Mental health experts can listen to your story and recommend various therapy options to support your healing journey. They can also highlight some of the more damaging trauma myths and ensure you understand their inaccuracy.
Alongside professional therapy sessions, you may also seek to learn more about trauma myths from reputable sources. Listen to podcasts, read books, and join support groups. You may even see the value in joining communities that teach trauma awareness.
Understanding Trauma Myths
Whether you decide to seek help from a trained therapist or not, understanding common trauma myths can be helpful. Knowing what they are and acknowledging them as untrue can put you on a path to understanding your trauma better and how you can heal from it. There are a number of trauma myths to be aware of, such as
- Time heals all wounds
- Healing means forgetting
- Strong people don’t get traumatized
- If you talk about it, you’re just complaining
- Tough love builds character
- God will heal you, not therapy
- If everyone went through it, it’s not trauma
- Family problems stay in the family
Replace the Myths with Truth
When you’ve been fed trauma myths throughout your life, it’s easy to start believing they’re true. Breaking free from trauma myths involves replacing those myths with truths. For example, instead of believing that time heals all wounds, you can start thinking that healing often takes support, intention, and professional care. Rather than believing that healing means forgetting, you can learn that healing is about integration, not forgetting.
Show Self-Compassion and Curiosity
The harmful voices in our heads tend to show up during significant moments of stress, anxiety, and uncertainty. When you start hearing them speak harmful mistruths, ask yourself whose voice it is and whether that particular belief will help you heal. You can then attempt to reframe the voice with something truthful.
For example, if the voice in your head is telling you that strong people don’t get traumatized, you can be curious about where that myth came from. Knowing it’s not true, you can reframe it with a truth, such as ‘trauma is a human response, not a sign of weakness.’
Trauma myths are oversimplified or untruthful beliefs that can cause a great deal of harm in people who have experienced trauma and are trying to heal. By learning more about these myths and learning the truth, your healing journey can truly begin.
This article was written for WHN by Alexa B., who is a content creator and healthy aging advocate.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN neither agrees nor disagrees with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement.
Opinion Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy of WHN/A4M. Any content provided by guest authors is of their own opinion and is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything else. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
