Why does healing from trauma feel like it goes backwards sometimes?

Question

I have been doing trauma therapy for 8 months and sometimes I feel significantly worse than when I started. I am having more flashbacks, more emotional pain, and more bad days. Is this normal or is something going wrong with my treatment?

austin_edwards · Accepted Answer

This is well-documented and has a name: the healing crisis. Processing trauma requires revisiting and metabolizing painful material. The increased symptoms often indicate the work is actually happening. Discuss it with your therapist but it is usually a sign of engagement, not regression.

penelope_green · Answer

Healing is not linear. It often looks like two steps forward and one step back and sometimes one step forward and two steps back. The overall trajectory matters more than any specific week or month.

Why does healing from trauma feel like it goes backwards sometimes?

2 answers
Most votes Newest Oldest

Write an Answer

Why does healing from trauma feel like it goes backwards sometimes?

2 answers Most votes Newest Oldest

Write an Answer

2 answers
Most votes Newest Oldest