There are No Bootstraps

No matter what you say

Photo by Glenn Carstens-Peters on Unsplash

It’s an old saying that people have often stated when told that someone is struggling with a mental health disorder; “Pull it together,” or “Pull yourself up by your bootstraps and get going!”

However, healing from a trauma-related disorder is not that easy. Healing can take a long time and cost a lot of tears. This article will focus on how it is impossible to pull oneself up by their bootstraps as they do not exist and what is involved in healing.

What is Complex Trauma?

Unlike trauma, which refers to a single incident, complex trauma is a series of traumatic events taking place over a long period. Complex trauma is usually invasive and interpersonal such as:

· Child abuse

· Child neglect

· Child abandonment

· Ongoing domestic violence

· Witnessing violence repeatedly

· Forced prostitution.

· Torture

· Slavery

· Becoming a prisoner of war

The effects of complex trauma on humanity vary depending on the victim’s age and their individual abilities to cope.