#your ablities amaze me BTW

[fangirlinginleatherboots]

So there was this even in my life and I don't know if it's trauma because when it happened I was young and didn't care but now it bothers me a lot and I don't know if it's trauma and I'm scared to say it is because I guess it wasn't that bad??? I mean it could have been worse. Also sorry for asking I just wanted someone's opinion btw your blog is amazing

okay first break apart how you’re looking at this“it could be worse” is not necessary. technically anything can be worse. the fact that something can be worse is irrelevent to how the event affects you.

most traumas that occur at an early age do not impact/bother ppl until they are older and able to process what actually occurred

trauma isn’t about how “bad” it is. it’s about overwhelming your ablity to cope/process an occurrence. ranking experiences against other experiences doesnt actually determine if in event was traumatic.look at the following things:

in the moment it occurred, did you feel helpless or in danger or that something you loved was in danger?

did you witness or experience perceived, actual, or threat of violence or overpowering?

did it drastically affect your perception of the world and your sense of safety?

do you dwell on the event(s), obsess over them, or find yourself unable to move on from them mentally?

do you have notable avoidance responses towards things related to the event or things that suggest the event could reoccur?

if more than one of these strikes you as applicable, maybe it is trauma. 

you should definitely talk to a professional about it regardless of what conclusion you come to. they are very helpful in validating and processing distrupting events, even years later.

#bootsie's advice column #Anonymous