Loud noises, drunken celebrations, fireworks, screams and shouts- for someone who is recovering from trauma New Year’s Eve can be a difficult celebration. Difficulty responding to loud noises is common for people who have experienced trauma. Veterans of war, especially, have difficulty during holiday celebrations that include fireworks and loud noises. Research into trauma has discovered that hypervigilance and hypersensitivity is not exclusive to people who have experienced extreme trauma like war or accidents. Physical trauma is not a requirement for having the effects of PTSD or other symptoms of trauma which could include difficulty responding to loud sounds and noises. Experiences with verbal, emotional, and mental trauma can contribute as well. If someone experienced abusive yelling, doors slamming, items being thrown or knocked over, the loud noises of New Year’s Eve can be very triggering.
Triggers like fireworks, yelling, shouting, and loud music can trigger the nervous system and activate the fight or flight response. Anxiety, panic, and other symptoms can quickly result. Trauma can be described as a “disease of the nervous system”. When trauma happens mentally, trauma also happens physically. Trauma lives inside the body as much as it lives inside the mind. Mental triggers and reminders set off a system of physical symptoms and reactions which can range from mild to moderate to severe. Discomfort, dissociation, or total flashback hallucination can all happen as a result of a trigger to trauma.
Avoiding any and all triggers at any time is a nearly impossible feat to accomplish. There are, however, many ways to manage triggers. Treatment programs for trauma include various therapies, healing methods, and practical coping skills to make every part of life manageable when it comes to triggers. Depending on your specific trauma and your unique triggers you can:
Buy noise silencing headphones if your neighborhood is prone to fireworksGo camping and escape the chaotic hustle and bustle of urban life during New Year’s Eve. Anticipate that some people might have a party, shout, holler, or set off their own fireworks.Spend the night in self-care with your favorite movies, books, and self-care routinesIf you go out, take your grounding skills with you. Sneak into a bathroom to meditate, practice mindfulness, and breathe through the triggers.Remember it is just one night. Tomorrow starts a whole new year to practice your recovery and make life the best life.
The Guest House Ocala welcomes you with open arms to our private, concierge style treatment programs for trauma and related issues. There is no time like the present to seek treatment and change your life. Everyone has a story. Change yours today.
Call us today for information: 1-855-483-7800