Healing the Wounds of Trauma

Many people with wounded hearts find themselves thinking about the event all the time. At times, they may feel they are back in the event, re-living it. This can happen while they are awake or in their dreams, as nightmares. Thinking about the event all the time will make it hard for them to concentrate on a particular task. For example, schoolchildren may find it difficult to study. Some peoplemay tell everyone about what has happened over and over again. Others may refuse to talk about it at all. Some people with wounded hearts may try to kill the pain by taking drugs or alcohol. Some may not be able to remember what happened, or may only remember part of what happened. Others may eat too much or work too much to avoid feeling the pain. All these reactions are normal in people who have been through bad things like war. These reactions may happen immediately, or may be delayed and start happening a long time after the event. C. What makes some wounds of the heart more serious? Some situations are more difficult than others. For example: 1. Something very personal, for example, a family member dying or being betrayed by a close friend. 2. Something that goes on for a long time. 3. Something that happens many times over a period of time. 4. Something connected with death. 5. Something that people have done intentionally to cause pain rather than something that is accidental. People react to painful events differently. Two peoplemay go through the same event, but one may have a severe reaction while the other is not affected much at all. A person is likely to react more severely to trauma if he or she: • always wants someone else to tell them what to do. • has mental illness or emotional problems. • is usually sad or is sensitive.

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How Can the Wounds of Our Hearts Be Healed?