How to Get Support During Recovery

After a traumatic experience, it is often difficult to talk about it with others. This can leave you feeling isolated and alone. Finding ways to reach out to people close to you can help tremendously in your recovery. In this section, I will provide very specific methods to help you get the help you need.

Spending time with people who are supportive and understanding is an important way to heal from trauma. Seeking social support can help you in a number of ways. Talking to someone can help you to reduce your painful feelings about the trauma and make the experience a little easier to understand. Some people describe that talking to someone else gave them a new way to view the trauma, a different perspective. It can also help you find solutions or figure out a direction for your recovery. It can even help your mood. It can definitely help you feel less alone in your experience. By talking to others, you can increase your “re-engagement” in life and, when you are ready, resume normal social activities. Finally, talking to someone can help you to find some meaning in the experience.

Table of Contents

The Way Ahead
Getting Social Support
Types of Support
Obstacles to Seeking Support
Overcoming Obstacles
Qualities to Look for in a Support Person
People You Might Talk To
Talking to a Professional
Things to Talk About
Avoidance and Getting Support
Starting to get Support
Coping With Strong Emotions without Pushing Others Away
Unhelpful Responses
Setting Limits
Supporting Others
Dealing with Problem People
Summary