DMST survivors often experience what mental health professionals call "complex trauma." This type of trauma happens when someone has faced harmful situations and manipulation over a long period rather than just a single traumatic event. For survivors, this can lead to a mix of mental health challenges where each one is a reaction to years of stress and hardship.
Common Mental Health Challenges that DMST Survivors Experience
1. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
A 2016 study found that 78% of women and 40% of men who survived trafficking in England reported experiencing high levels of depression, anxiety, or PTSD symptoms. Flashbacks, nightmares, and hypervigilance are symptoms of PTSD which are very common among DMST survivors. Their brain might struggle to recognize that the trauma is over. This makes it difficult for survivors to feel safe even after the threat has passed.
They may also find it hard to trust others, be in crowded places, or even go about normal routines. Survivors may feel trapped by their own minds as if they can’t escape the traumatic memories.
2. Anxiety and Depression
The anxiety and depression that survivors experience are more than just occasional worry and sadness. It’s a deep, ongoing feeling of sadness and emptiness that doesn’t go away easily. These emotions may stem from both the trauma itself and the challenges of reintegrating into everyday life.
Anxiety can occur because your brain and body are still on high alert, reacting as if the trauma is ongoing. This reaction is often called "fight or flight," a survival response that’s hard to turn off, even when you’re safe.
3. Dissociative Disorders
Dissociative disorders and emotional numbness are mental responses to trauma, often seen in people who have gone through extended periods of stress or abuse. For DMST survivors, dissociation and numbness can happen as a natural way to cope with overwhelming experiences that are too painful to face all at once.
Dissociation can make someone feel "disconnected" from their own thoughts, emotions, or even from reality itself. It's like your mind is putting a wall up to shield you from things that feel too intense. This might look like feeling emotionally "numb" as if you’re watching your life from a distance instead of feeling involved in it. Everyday tasks can seem distant, or unreal, and things that used to bring you joy or sadness may no longer seem to affect you.
Dissociation happens because the brain is trying to protect you from re-experiencing painful memories or overwhelming emotions. For someone who’s been through repeated trauma, like DMST survivors, dissociation might become a frequent way of handling stress.
4. Trauma Bonds
A trauma bond is a psychological and emotional attachment that develops between someone and the person causing them harm, often in abusive relationships. Trauma bonds happen when there is a cycle of abuse mixed with moments of kindness, affection, or safety provided by the abuser. This confusing mix creates a sense of attachment and dependence, making it hard for survivors to see the relationship clearly for what it is - an abusive one.
5. Substance Abuse
In an effort to numb overwhelming feelings like anxiety, depression, shame, or PTSD, some survivors turn to drugs or alcohol. This can easily result in substance use disorder and even worsen their mental health challenges.
How Survivors Can Cope
If you’re a survivor working through the mental health challenges of DMST, here are some steps you can take to heal and regain your strength:
1. Seek Professional Help
Engage with a therapist who has experience working with survivors of DMST. Trauma-informed therapy helps you process painful memories and work toward healing at your own pace. Approaches such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and somatic therapies have been proven effective for trauma survivors.
2. Build a Support System
Surround yourself with family members, friends, or support groups who can provide emotional support and ease feelings of isolation. Connecting with others who have had similar experiences, especially those in survivor-led support groups, can create a deep sense of community and understanding.
3. Practice Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques
Mindfulness is a simple but effective way to reconnect with the present moment. Techniques like deep breathing, the “5-4-3-2-1” grounding exercise (naming things you see, hear, feel, etc.), or journaling can all help you stay grounded when memories or emotions feel too intense.
4. Exercise Regularly
Physical activity isn’t just good for your body. It’s also beneficial for your mental health. Studies have shown that exercise, especially aerobic activities like walking, running, or dancing, can reduce stress and improve overall emotional well-being. Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, the body's natural mood elevators, which can make you feel better and more in control.
5. Get a Hobby
Many survivors find that exploring hobbies, interests, or even volunteer work helps them reconnect with a sense of purpose. These activities serve as reminders that there is more to life beyond trauma and that each day brings opportunities for joy and connection.
Moving Forward
Healing from trauma will take time but it is not impossible. With support, understanding, and the right tools, survivors can rebuild their lives and find hope again. At The Mission Haven, we play our part in supporting survivors of DMST by offering them emotional and material support and a safe space to heal at their own pace.
Learn more about The Mission Haven and our work with DMST survivors across the United States.
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