My 'Less Traumatic' Trauma Story Is Important Too

Have you ever felt like your story isn’t worth telling or getting help for because it wasn’t as “traumatic” as someone else’s? I know I have, and it can be a slippery slope when you feel consumed by the trauma you are dealing with.

• What is PTSD?

How do we compare our traumas with someone else’s trauma? Is it the amount of time they went through the trauma? The amount of abuse they went through? The aftermath and consequences of the trauma? The emotional instability?

The reality is that everyone is going to respond to varying traumas differently — and that’s completely normal. Just because your trauma seems insignificant does not mean it is. If it’s on your mind and affecting you in a negative way, it’s “traumatic enough” to talk about it and seek help.

For a while now, I’ve been doing EMDR therapy for my varying traumas, and find it frustrating that even though I’ve had many sessions I’m still struggling and trying to work through it. I think to myself, “I should be over this already! It wasn’t even ‘that’ bad. Why is it still affecting me so much?” But healing isn’t linear. There are ups and downs, nightmares, flashbacks, dissociation, anger, fear and sadness. But there are also moments of happiness, excitement, connection, peace and calmness.

If you are in the process of healing from trauma, remember you’re worthy of help and support. Your story is never insignificant!