Experiencing any kind of mistreatment from another person, physical or sexual abuse, or witnessing or surviving something unthinkable can change the way you see and interact with the world. After this kind of experience, your mind begins to focus only on keeping you safe and doing whatever is necessary to protect you. Your mind spins, trying to go back and master what happened. Living this way is not only exhausting, it can cause you to feel very distant from those you love. You might also find that you’re not thinking very clearly or making the best decisions.
Survivors don’t have to live in their pasts, though, and moving on and thriving again is absolutely possible. In post-traumatic stress therapy you can learn to grow from your suffering and find a new kind of strength that builds on all your best qualities.