Is talking about trauma helpful?
I have heard that simd therapists do not ask their clients about their trauma specifically because they think it is unethical to make someone remember and go through the experience again. Rather they deal with the aftermaths of the trauma or with physical activity and so forth as it is said that trauma gets stuck in the body.
Trigger warning: effects of war
Near where I am after the war ended in Damascus (about half an hour or an hour from where I am) there is an area that was badly hit in the country of Damascus. They where closed in and many houses were destroyed....I know what happened to them and I have often been concerned about how they have dealt with this. When I tried to ask a girl there about herself she immediately shut down and said " I do not want to talk about it". I know from my own experiences that it is overwhelming to talk about such experiences. I also know some of the things that happened there. When a girl told me (she was calm and cutting vegetables at the time) about a house collapsing in flames and the daughter and her children of a woman who I met were gone (I myself find it hard to say), it made me feel like I was going to have my own heart attack without actually experiencing it. I often remember that and feel deeply affected.
I therefore have thought it might be better both for those listening/counselling or those needing support that we don't have to talk or listen to details of trauma but deal with the aftermaths...
I am talking in general and especially to these issues related to war ..
So my question here is have you been through a war...so you find it helpful to talk about it or better to not talk about it and do you find something else helpful?
Those who have other types of trauma does it help to talk about it or does it make you feel worse or better? If not what are the things that you find helpful when dealing with trauma? Would you prefer to talk about it in detail or just deal with the after affects of the trauma?
I know there are different types, so perhaps some times might be better to talk about and some not ..I was wondering what other people think about all this.
@quietlistener2023 I think the matter you are taking about is both very difficult and very sensitive.
My grandma was a soldier in World War II. He fought against the nazi Germans, but, judging from the stories he told me, he also witnessed a lot of ordinary crime committed by the liberators from the Red Army.
I guess no living human has the power to change the past, or to bring somebody from the dead. Some psychologists believe that talking about traumatic experience can make the traces of it "evaporate" and make the victims gain some serenity. But some of them think still remembering traumatic experience in details is refreshing the trauma and not letting it go.
Being in your situation, I would not try to be wise. If they want to let you know something, they'll tell you.
@jacek73
Yes I agree with you. It is difficult and sensitive. Thank you for sharing about your grandfather and his experiences. My grandfather also thought in world war ii against the germans but he had PTSD and was never treated. I think he preferred not to talk about it too and was having nightmares every night...so like you say everyone is different, some people might find it helpful to talk about things and others not...thank you for your reply
Hi quietlistener2023,
That is a great question. I think there is a lot of complexity to discussing trauma related to war and other traumas. I know people who do want to open up about their PTSD from war and others who won’t ever be open to discussion.
I think the answer depends on the listener and also the one who has PTSD. For some, conversation can be productive. Others might want the listener to instead provide distractions to help them avoid their triggers.
My advice: Try to sense out the individual to find out their preferences.
@affableTalker1811
@affableTalker1811
Hi affableTalker...thank you for your reply. Yes I think you are right it probably does depend on both the listener and the person experiencing the trauma and probably does need some time to get to know the person and what they really want or need exactly.
Thank you for your insights regarding this
@quietlistener2023 I think it really depends on the situation. If that person feels overwhelming, it might not be the right time to share. We can start by sharing little bits when they feel comfortable, and stop if it becomes too much for them.
