Does speaking about a traumatic experience help or make it worse ?

That can depend on the person. Sometimes writing down the experience, or sharing it with another person can help alleviate some of the negative thoughts and feelings. For some people, it is easier to skip the written or spoken account and focus on the individuals distorted beliefs about the self and then addressing the cognitive distortions they have developed about the world in response to the event. Speaking about a traumatic experience can be exceptionally difficult, but it is ultimately up to what you think is best for you.

The answer to this question is one of those things that will vary from person to person. For me, it was very helpful to discuss my experiences with someone I trusted and felt comfortable with (which happened to be a therapist at the VA). In my case, being able to not only speak about the events out loud, but sharing them helped lessen the burden a bit. It made me feel less alone and like I now had a partner in trying to find ways to cope and overcome my PTSD. I think a good way to determine how sharing will affect you is to look back on your past; whenever you've spoken with someone about something potentially negative, and talked it out, did you walk away feeling better, or worse? In any case, it is imperative that we remain mindful of the fact that some issues - especially traumatic events - are exceedingly difficult to overcome without help. Reaching out is never a bad thing. I wish you all the best.

This varies from person to person, and it also depends on if you're asking about the long-run or the short-run. In the short-run, it might make a person feel anxious, as they are opening up about an instance where they were very vulnerable. However, opening up about it can help in the long run as you can get support from people and you will feel relieved that you aren't "hiding" anything or "running away" from the problem.

It doesnt make it worse, each time we speak about something its related pain goes away e.g: if i talk about it for the first time i may feel terrible pain and 2nd time too i feel sever pain but as i keep on talking like for the tenth time the intensity of emotions is much less. I learned it in my behavioural sciences class.

Well, this question is totally opinion-based. For some, speaking of their own trauma serves as a trigger. It may take time to heal and process trauma before speaking about it. In this scenario, speaking about trauma my be like reliving the event to the victim. In this way, speaking could make it worse. However, that being said, it's a personal belief of mine that speaking does an enormous amount of help. Having someone to listen as a supporter grants a certain amount of both security and compassion that is great for trauma victims. In this way, speaking about a traumatic experience could help perpetuate growth and community and help the victim. Ultimately, it is the trauma victim's prerogative and can both do harm and aid.

It helps because instead of keeping it all inside, till it grows and becomes a ponderous burden, you shall speak of it to someone you trust.

Speaking about a traumatic experience can be very difficult. While it can help to share your thoughts and feelings about it, it can also trigger you. However I believe talking about traumatic experience is the first step into overcoming a traumatic experience. :)

Honestly speaking out can make it better because holding it in & bottling up all your emotions is not healthy & can make a situation worse. Speak out to a close friend, family, a listener, someone you know will listen. You don't have to go threw this alone

This differs from person to person, and often depends on the trauma. For some people, talking about the experience helps them sort out unresolved feelings. For others, it brings back triggering memories. If you're unsure of yourself, your best bet is to speak to a mental health professional to decide what is best.

It depends on the forum in which you share it and with whom, in a safe environment, with someone you trust, talking about an emotional trauma can be incredibly cathartic and helpful, if you find it hard to talk about, don't force yourself to relive it.

I would say there is always a personal way to react to facts and to seek for help, in case. Talking about it may be difficult, it may help or it may make it worse: suppose it also depends who we share that with, to feel that we can trust the person without being judged (but also feeling they are genuinely caring about how we feel emotionally) may play a key role. Probably for a sensible topic there is needed a sensible person too, no need to talk about something if we don't feel to but to have someone able to let us feel at ease in talking about a traumatic experience is probably a gift to be grateful for.

You have to find the right people to talk to. Find the people that genuinely care for you, and want to help you. After you've done this, talking about it, and hearing the opinions from your listeners can actually help. Listeners will generally try to think optimistically of your experience, and most of the times, they provide a different way of thinking that you have not considered beforehand. Therefore, their insights and thoughts may actually allow you to think in a whole new way, and can help you deal with your traumatic experience. Just remember, you don't have to fight a situation by yourself.

Personally, I've found that when I avoided talking about my traumatic experiences I allowed the fear from them to grow.

It helps a lot, because you are this way letting out your emotions, which has a powerful impact and makes the emotions less. So talk to s person that you can trust and that person should appreciate you and accept you for who you are, and don't forget to let out what you are feeling because this has a powerful impact on your emotions and this makes it less

I will say that for a little while, talking about it can make your emotions more intense since you are bringing the memories and details up to the surface and you are forced to relive and rehash old events and feelings. But in the long run, if you can make it through the beginning, talking about it helps SO much. It allows you to let go of the experience, a bit like purging all the negativity and making room for healing to take place.

Speaking about a traumatic experience will help SO MUCH. It would never, ever make it worse. Talk about it with a close friend, they can relate the most.

It depends on who you speak it with. If you speak it with a good listener or somebody who really cares, it helps you cope with the experience. But if you speak with someone who doesn't understand, or who doesn't care, it won't help.

After any traumatic experience I think the best thing you can do for yourself is talk about it. I know that when I was in a very traumatic car accident the last thing I wanted to do was go and talk about how I was feeling, but I noticed that once I did, a huge weight was lifted off of my shoulders simply because I was heard!

Its Part of the Meditation or solving any problem/ traumatic.. there are small helpful tips 1- is to figure out and acknowledge that there is a problem or traumatic, because some people refuse to accept some facts in life just because being afraid to face it. 2- Revel and speak about it, but make sure you are talking to the right person. 3- Move on and make days count.

It depends on the listener. A good listener will support you as you talk about your experience, and will help you to heal. Please be careful in choosing who you speak to about your trauma. Think to yourself, "Do I value this person's opinion? Is this a kind person?"

Well speaking about trauma can cause a trauma/panic attack. It does for me. It depends how overwhelming the trauma is. Either way your going to feel the affects of fresh/unhealed trauma. However you need to talk about it and deal with it or it will never go away. My trauma is VERY physically painful, but I fight on. I live on. I don't know from day to day how I'll make it, but somehow I do and somehow I heal.

It depends. I like when I bring it up. If someone else brings it up, it can make it worse.. but if I bring it up then it's already on mind. I hate when my mind isn't on it and someone brings my attention to it.