Understanding and Challenging Trauma 'Stuck Points'
Updated: September 4, 2024What are Trauma Stuck Points?
Trauma is an experience that can have a profound impact on a person's life. It can leave lasting emotional and psychological scars that may take years to heal. One of the challenges that people often face in their recovery from trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is dealing with what are known as "stuck points."
Stuck points are thoughts or beliefs that can become stuck in a person's mind after experiencing trauma. These thoughts or beliefs can be negative and can contribute to ongoing feelings of distress, anxiety, and depression. In many cases, these stuck points can become so ingrained that it can be hard to recognize that we have them, sometimes certain body cues (anxiety, hypervigilance) can be an indication that there are problematic thinking patterns.
What are Stuck Points? Source: Icahn School of Medicine
Common Stuck Points from PTSD:
"It was my fault": Many people blame themselves for the trauma they experienced, even when it was beyond their control. This can lead to feelings of guilt and shame, which can be difficult to overcome.
"I can't trust anyone": Trauma can erode a person's ability to trust others. This can be especially true if the trauma was caused by someone the person trusted, such as a family member or close friend.
"I'm not safe": Trauma can leave a person feeling like the world is a dangerous place. This can lead to hypervigilance, anxiety, and a sense of being constantly on edge.
"I'm damaged": Trauma can leave a person feeling broken or damaged. This can lead to feelings of low self-worth and can make it difficult to form healthy relationships with others.
"It will never get better": Trauma can create a sense of hopelessness and despair. This can make it difficult to see a way out of the pain and can lead to feelings of depression.
Challenging Stuck Points
Dealing with stuck points can be challenging, but some strategies can help. Here are some tips for overcoming trauma stuck points:
1. Identify your stuck points: The first step in overcoming stuck points is to identify them. Take some time to reflect on your thoughts and beliefs about the trauma you experienced. Write them down if it helps.
2. Challenge your thoughts: Once you've identified your stuck points, challenge them. Ask yourself if your thoughts are based on reality or if they are simply a product of the trauma. Try to see the situation from a different perspective.
3. Practice self-compassion: It's important to be kind to yourself as you work through your stuck points. Remember that it's normal to struggle with the aftermath of trauma and that healing takes time.
4. Seek support: Healing from trauma is a journey that often requires support from others. Consider talking to a therapist or joining a support group to connect with others who have experienced similar trauma.
Dealing with trauma or PTSD stuck points can be a challenging process, but with time and effort, it is possible to overcome them. Remember to be patient and kind to yourself, and don't hesitate to seek support when you need it.
At Virtual CBT we specialize in Trauma treatment. If you find you are struggling with a lot of stuck points that are impacting your life, Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) might be a good option for you. Book a free consultation to learn how a trauma specialist can help. Our PTSD specialists offer treatment to residents of Ontario.
Blog posts on Trauma and PTSD
CPT Books for Trauma
For therapists: CPT for PTSD: A Comprehensive Manual (* New Edition: CPT for PTSD: A Comprehensive Therapist Manual 2nd Ed.)
For Clients: Getting Unstuck from PTSD
Book a Free Consultation with a Trauma Therapist
At Virtual CBT Psychotherapist, we have a variety of treatment options. Book a free consultation and our Clinical Directors by clicking the tab below. They will match you with a trauma specialist.
Our therapists reside across Ontario including Ottawa, Kanata, Mississauga, and Toronto. We offer psychotherapy and psychological assessments to all of Ontario.
Source: Chard, K. M., Kaysen, D. L., Galovski, T. E., Nixon, R. D. V., & Monson, C. M. (2020). Cognitive processing therapy.
