Trauma can make it seem like things will never get better. But healing is well within your reach. However, this process takes time and patience. You’ll want to find trusted people you can turn to for help. Here’s how to start down the path of healing from trauma.

Chronic pain is debilitating. It comes out of nowhere and shatters your existence. I would know, because I live with a chronic illness. In 2007, my world fell apart when I was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease. The diagnosis ripped apart everything I had ever known.

So much of trauma is what happens after the event is over. Trauma rewires your brain, and it can make it difficult to understand or explain what you experienced.