Trauma can have a profound impact on the brain, affecting how we think, feel, and behave. One of the ways that trauma can impact the brain is by changing our assumptions about the world.
Before trauma, we may have had a number of assumptions about the world that helped us to feel safe and secure. For example, we may have assumed that the world is a safe place, that people are generally kind and trustworthy, and that we are in control of our own lives.
However, after trauma, these assumptions may be shattered. We may come to believe that the world is a dangerous place, that people are not to be trusted, and that we are helpless and at the mercy of others.
These changes in assumptions can have a profound impact on our lives. They can make it difficult to trust others, to feel safe in the world, and to have a sense of hope for the future.
If you have experienced trauma, it is important to be aware of how trauma can impact your assumptions about the world. It is also important to remember that these assumptions are not necessarily true. With time and healing, it is possible to rebuild your assumptions and create a new sense of safety and security in your life.
Here are some tips for rebuilding your assumptions after trauma:
- Challenge your negative beliefs. When you have a negative thought about yourself, the world, or other people, ask yourself if there is any evidence to support it. Is it possible that your thought is based on your trauma experience and not reality?
- Focus on the positive. When you are feeling overwhelmed by negative thoughts, try to focus on the positive things in your life. What are you grateful for? What are your strengths? What are the good things that have happened to you recently?
- Connect with others. Trauma can make you feel isolated and alone. It is important to connect with others who have also experienced trauma. This can help you to feel less alone and to learn from others who have successfully healed from trauma.
- Seek professional help. If you are struggling to rebuild your assumptions after trauma, it is important to seek professional help. A therapist can help you to understand your trauma experience and to develop new, more positive assumptions about yourself, the world, and other people.