Trust is a big thing. It is so big that a phobia has been identified surrounding trust. The fear of trust is called pistanthrophobia. When we face different life challenges such as toxic relationships, mental health struggles, trauma, or addiction, it can cause us to fear trusting people. If you find yourself struggling to trust people, there are probably many underlying emotions and traumas to work through. It can be hard sometimes to know why we are feeling what we are feeling. That is when it may be helpful to reach out to a professional for some guidance. Here are a few tips to help you begin your journey of trusting others again.
Stay in One Place
When you move from one place to another, it is easy to cut ties and essentially end relationships. When you end those relationships or stop yourself from getting too close to someone, you do not need to build trust. You give yourself an out. This may be the easy thing to do, but it will not help you learn to trust.
Start Small
Starting small may be good for those who are nervous about opening up to others. Try giving more trust than you usually would, and see how it goes. You may be surprised at how easy it is to trust in a healthy relationship.
Stop Painting Red Flags Green
Sometimes we overlook those red warning flags in certain relationships. We then get hurt, and our fear of trust becomes even more profound. Try to acknowledge warning signs. If a relationship seems to be unhealthy or untrustworthy, go with your gut. Not everyone deserves your trust. Some relationships do warrant your trust, though. Learning to distinguish between healthy and unhealthy relationships is very important to maintaining your mental health.
Learning to trust others is a significant life skill. When we trust others, we learn to be vulnerable, open and accepting. For many people, trusting others is hard. Try to start small and focus on the healthy relationships in your life. Many of us have a hard time fully understanding the underlying emotions and trauma that affect our ability to trust. When you add in mental health struggles and addiction, it becomes even more challenging to work through an inability to trust. The professionals at The Guest House understand how overwhelming it can feel when you decide it is time to seek help. It can be scary, and you may not know where or how to start. Call us today to learn more about how we can help you on your unique road to healing and recovery at (855) 483-7800.