Healing Fatigue: The Importance of Pacing Trauma Work

Throughout my work as a mind-body-trained trauma therapist, I’ve observed a sense of fatigue connected to the healing journey. At first, the connection between healing and fatigue may seem preposterous, but it is, in fact, real. You see many trauma survivors, especially Black folks, cope with trauma by intellectualizing. This intellectualization leads to a desire to know, try, and fix “all of the things’.

On this path of knowing, trying, and fixing “all of the things’, one realizes that trauma is layered, and the path suddenly becomes never-ending and exhausting. This feeling of exhaustion in connection to healing from trauma is known as healing fatigue. “Healing fatigue” refers to a state where individuals may feel exhausted or overwhelmed by the demands of the healing journey. This fatigue can manifest physically, emotionally, and mentally.

Two Main Causes of Healing Fatigue

Negative Self-Talk

Negative self-talk is a therapist’s way of saying that your thoughts and language toward yourself are unkind. In addition to being unkind, they are critical and riddled with judgment and comparison. Negative self-talk connects to healing fatigue because it suggests that you aren’t healing in a certain way or timeframe because you are doing something wrong. Oftentimes, negative self-talk manifests as thoughts. These thoughts lead to rumination and result in constant reflection as your mind is always “on.” This cognitive load can contribute to fatigue.

Impatience 

In my experience, impatience is highly connected to healing fatigue as there is an expectation of quick results. The society in which we live suggests many quick fixes for healing; however, there are none. Additionally, living as a trauma survivor is hard, hurtful, and confusing, resulting in a desire to make all of the hurtful or unwanted parts go away as fast as possible.

In truth, negative self-talk and impatience are connected. There is an idea that the rate of healing is connected to being undeserving or incapable of healing. Often, this manifests in thoughts such as “If I read this book or learn this tool, I will heal from trauma, or I’ve tried all of the tools, but my actions aren’t changing.” As a result, people then become fatigued from the lack of quick results from their efforts. 

Other factors may contribute to healing fatigue:

1. Emotional Intensity: Engaging in therapeutic processes, especially those related to trauma or deeply emotional experiences, can be emotionally intense. Constantly revisiting and processing difficult emotions may lead to emotional exhaustion.

2. Cognitive Load: The process of self-reflection, challenging ingrained thought patterns, and learning new coping strategies can be mentally demanding. 

3. Vulnerability and Exposure: Opening up about personal experiences and being vulnerable in a therapeutic setting can be draining. It requires individuals to confront and share aspects of themselves that they may have kept hidden or suppressed.

Three Ways to Address Healing Fatigue:

1. Rest, Recovery, and Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities to rejuvenate both physically and emotionally. This may include activities such as relaxation techniques, exercise, or engaging in hobbies. Also, allow yourself sufficient time for rest and recovery between therapy sessions. Adequate sleep and downtime are essential for overall well-being.

2. Boundaries: Set compassionate boundaries with yourself that include time to learn, understand, implement, and then embody the skills and tools learned. 

3. Setting Realistic Expectations: Acknowledge that the healing process is often gradual, and set realistic expectations for yourself. Celebrate small victories and progress along the way.

The only way out is through.

Healing from trauma requires patience, grace, understanding, curiosity, and deep self-trust, which are all skills trauma survivors must become intimately acquainted with on their healing journey. It’s important to note that healing fatigue is a common and valid aspect of the therapeutic journey, particularly in the context of trauma recovery. Recognizing and addressing healing fatigue is crucial for maintaining a sustainable and effective therapeutic process. But most importantly, recognizing and addressing healing fatigue is an opportunity to be gentle and compassionate with yourself as you are with others.

 Begin Trauma Consulting in Baltimore, MD

You deserve the same grace you so willingly give. RISE Therapy Services would be happy to offer support in providing this grace and helping you on your healing journey. We specialize in addressing the long-term effects of trauma, and cultivating personal growth, and are happy to provide clinical supervision and consulting across Baltimore. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:

1. Reach out to me with questions or interest in getting started.

2. Meet with me, Christina, for a consultation call to discuss your goals.

3. Start addressing the challenges of healing fatigue!

Other Services at Revilatizing Inner Self Essence in Baltimore MD

Due to extensive and ongoing training, I have many skills to help women overcome trauma and thrive. I am happy to offer clinical supervision in Maryland and consulting, training, and presenting. While I offer trauma therapy at my Baltimore, MD-area practice, I specialize in working with domestic violence and homicide survivors. Along with Mind-Body Medicine, I am trained in EMDR as a trauma therapy approach. If you are interested in getting to know more about my practice and my therapeutic methods, reach out to me.