from Two weeks ago, an article from Deutsche Presse caught my attention. ahIt is not one of the world’s leading independent news agencies. ” The headline: “Burying bad thoughts to boost your mental health, suggests Cambridge team.” [However,] Experts in trauma-informed, compassion-based treatment models advise us to do the opposite.
The article continues:An experiment conducted by scientists at the University of Cambridge shows that people with negative thoughts and experiences may be better off suppressing them than opening up.
The researchers said their study could refute the “commonly held belief” that ignoring things and moving on is “bad for your mental health.” ”. .
unfortunately, [with] Advice on how to distract yourself from emotional turmoil. In New Age circles, religious groups, and some therapeutic settings, we are given tips on how to avoid, deny, and minimize emotional pain and deep-seated trauma. Exposed. Below are some of the most common cliches often heard by victims and survivors of childhood trauma.
- “Have you tried reading a book?” Take a bath? Go for a walk? ‘
- ‘appreciate. ‘
- ‘Happiness is a choice! ‘
- “That’s all in the past. Leave it there.’
- “Think positively.”
- “Reject negativity.”
What we ignore or shut out from the depths of our minds is bound to come to the surface sooner or later and potentially cause harm to ourselves and others. It manifests itself in impulsive actions and thoughts. . .
[An] An example from my own experience: For years I have tried to be positive, upbeat, and grateful. I tried to forget, tried to forget everything, chose happiness, but why wasn’t I happy? I just thought I did something wrong. Maybe I’ve been damaged enough to never recover. In 2021, I felt suicidal for most of the year. With the support of a caring and respectful therapist, I realized that my suicidal thoughts were emotional flashbacks to the first years of my life. Sadly, being rejected and unloved, I had no will to live. I felt no joy. Did I feel joy when I finally stopped pretending to be happy and positive and started accepting myself for who I was, completely hopeless? [find] The desire to live.
On a deeper level, an inner part of me (a very young part of me) felt so rejected, so scared, so unwanted (and she really was), that I didn’t want to live. I felt like I didn’t want to. She didn’t understand her own meaning. When she heard an inner voice say, “I want to die!”, her inner dialogue changed to, “Oh, don’t think like that!” You have so much to be thankful for! Try this, this, that. Try harder! or “What’s wrong?” “I hear you, you don’t want to be alive.” You’re hurting. “I’m sorry,” I asked, “What do you need?” How can I best support you right now? ‘ Her answer was: “Please, don’t leave me.” Stay with me! please love me. ‘So I helped her feel safe, loved and wanted through meditation and more inner dialogue. Now she feels her joy and love for her life.
This process of responding compassionately to my inner self and these experiences was a gradual process. And it’s an ongoing process. I still have days when a part of me feels empty (what’s the point?), scared, or doubtful. There are no easy or quick fixes when it comes to recovering from childhood trauma. Patience is key. ”
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