According to the National Library of Medicine, most non-critical wounds take 4 to 6 weeks on average to heal from.* I've always been fascinated by the human body's ability to heal from wounds even when it requires medical assistance (i.e. procedures, medications, herbal/ holistic supplements, etc.) to do so. In my field, of course, my primary focus as it relates to healing has more to do with the brain, emotions, and consciousness. When it comes to mental illness, I approach the healing process in a similar manner as that of a physical wound. In other words, the healing process requires specific tools, treatments, and, most importantly, time to really work.
As a trauma specialist, this is particularly notable in how PTSD, CPTSD, DID, and other trauma-related conditions go through the healing process. Like physical wounds, the origin of each of these conditions lies in tracing their history back to a specific event or events that have essentially wounded the consciousness. As with physical recovery, mental recovery requires a progressive approach which prioritizes safety and environment first and foremost. I establish that a client is not a danger to themselves or others. After that, the real heavy-duty exploration of what is needed to continue the healing process begins.
There is very little in this life that is more challenging than healing from non-visible wounds. For one thing unless one’s trauma is related to an obvious physical ailment or disability, general society will not be able to visibly notice and/or understand how much pain a trauma survivor can be in. Many survivors have struggles with maintaining a "functioning" or "normal" lifestyle because of their untreated pain. Until they get to the point where they find a process that allows for full inner-healing; they can feel very stuck, misunderstood, and even rejected by society.
The good news of all this, though, is that I seen so many people in my work, and even outside of my work, make tremendous, miraculous stride in the process of inner healing. One key element that allows healing to really take hold is to understand and love oneself. I am not referring to ego or negative self-indulgence at all. Rather, I refer to loving oneself as one would unconditionally love a spouse, child, best friend, etc. A love that is supportive, but also holds one’s behavior accountable. A love that understands mistakes are essential to learning, and will encourage oneself to give their all to avoid repeating the same mistakes. A love that also allows one to love others more strongly and unconditionally, as well.
If you take nothing else from this newsletter other than the importance of prioritizing self-care and self-love, that’s all I care about! It really is a simple, but powerful, and long-term process that is cemented by also having the right people in your life (i.e., positive family members, counselors, friends, co-workers, etc.). To love and be loved is so universally important!
Wishing you all nothing but the best!
Vida Lynne Penn-Leon, LCSW-C