By Kayode Oseni
We all know of the effects of physical traumas, which leave wound on the physical body. But we know little of the effects of emotional traumas that leave wounds on the soul.
All wounds, whether physical or psychic, go through the process of healing.
Some specific phases of healing have been identified in physical wounds, and it is interesting to note that those same phases of healing are also applicable to non physical wounds.
These are the four phases of healing of wounds:
H/emostasis, Inflammatory, Proliferate, and Maturation phases.
All physical wounds go through the four stages of healing as described below:
- Hemostasis Phase: This is the bleeding phase, where blood carries clotting ingredients to cover the wound.
- Inflammatory Phase: This is when the pain is being deeply felt as swelling, redness and heat are aggravated.
- Proliferative Phase: This is when there is increased blood supply to the wound. Now, there is no longer any bleeding, only increased supply of tissue-building materials, and white blood cells to the wounded area, so as to prevent infection and encourage deeper healing.
- Maturation Phase: This is the last phase, also known as the remodeling phase. In this stage, the collagen is remodeled and the wound fully closes. The cells which were used to remodel the wound and are no longer needed are replaced by fresh cells. This leads to complete healing of the wound.
Psychic or emotional wounds are always deep seated, and in most cases may not even be recognized by the one wounded. It is often insidious and can keep on negatively affecting all facets of life of the wounded individual.
These are some manifestations of non physical wounds:
Regrets, Guilt, Anger, Depression, Blaming the other person, Despair, Lethargy, Suicidal thoughts,etc.
Emotional wounds are often left to fetter, because unlike physical wounds, they are invisible, and so oftentimes overlooked, and not enough energy is expended on their healing.
Healing of non-physical wounds also goes through four phases:
Emostasis, Inflammatory, Proliferate, and Maturation phases.
In Emostasis, there is often some emotional release mechanisms like crying, denial, and sometimes shock.
Then after comes the second phase: the inflammatory phase, wherein the individual comes face to face with the full impact of the wound.
Denial is overcome, and step towards full acceptance of the reality of the wound kicks off.
The third phase is the Proliferate phase, wherein the individual goes into introspection to tap into the experiences leading to the wound, to see the lessons to be learnt, and also to see how such wounds can be avoided in the future.
Finally comes the last phase: Maturation. After the phases of denial, acceptance, and introspection, comes the maturation phase of letting go, forgiveness, and moving on.
Here the individual rises up from the ashes of the fire of emotional trauma, having completely licked his wounds, looks forward and marches on. He first comes to recognition of his his own part of the cause of the traumatic experience, and forgives himself.
After that, he also chooses to forgive the others involved, even if he received no apologies from them. The individual is made stronger through the wound, as he recognizes that what couldn’t kill one can only make one stronger.
Dr Kayode Oseni is the Chief Consultant, Alayo Health Services, Adatan, Car Wash, Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria. He is on 08092472767.
