Some people come to therapy convinced they have a problem because they can't "move on." Months or even years have passed since a particular experience, yet they still feel on edge, have trouble sleeping, or react intensely to situations that seemingly shouldn't affect them so much. This is often accompanied by a guilty question: "What's wrong with me?"
Perhaps the question isn't what's wrong with me, but rather what has my brain experienced to keep trying to protect me.
Our brain has an alarm system designed to keep us alive. When it detects a dangerous situation, it prepares the body to react: the heart races, muscles tense, and all our attention focuses on self-protection. It's an extraordinary survival mechanism. However, sometimes this response remains active even after the danger has passed.
Many people describe living with anxiety, difficulty sleeping, a constant sense of alertness, irritability, or a need to control everything. Others speak of fatigue, physical tension, or emotional blocks. They often interpret these symptoms as a sign of weakness, when in reality they may be the expression of a nervous system that is still trying to protect them.
We don't always need to forget what we've been through. Sometimes we need our brain to stop reacting as if it were still happening.
Not all experiences that leave a mark are major tragedies. An illness, a hospitalization, a significant loss, a childhood marked by insecurity, a relationship dominated by fear, or even prolonged periods of stress can impact our emotional well-being. What matters isn't comparing suffering, but understanding how what we've experienced has affected us.
Today, we have evidence-based psychological treatments that help process these experiences and reduce this state of permanent alert. Among them is EMDR therapy, widely used in addressing psychological trauma and other difficulties related to events that could not be adequately processed at the time.
Seeking psychological help doesn't mean you're weak. It means recognizing that we deserve to live with more peace, regain a sense of security, and stop feeling like the past continues to dictate our present. Understanding what's happening to us is often the first step toward feeling better.
To delve deeper If you found this topic interesting, these readings may help you better understand how difficult experiences can influence our emotional well-being:
• "El cuerpo tiene memoria" (The Body Has Memory) by Natalia Seijo: An informative work that clearly and accessibly explains how certain experiences can leave their mark on our bodies, emotions, and how we relate to the world.
• "Mindfulness y meditación para niños" (Mindfulness and Meditation for Children) by Eline Snel: A particularly recommended read for families and professionals interested in fostering emotional regulation and well-being from childhood.
• "El cuerpo tiene memoria" (The Body Has Memory) by Natalia Seijo: An informative work that clearly and accessibly explains how certain experiences can leave their mark on our bodies, emotions, and how we relate to the world.
• "Mindfulness y meditación para niños" (Mindfulness and Meditation for Children) by Eline Snel: A particularly recommended read for families and professionals interested in fostering emotional regulation and well-being from childhood.
