Why time alone won’t heal trauma: For those struggling in times of war

There’s a saying you’ve probably heard many times before: “Time heals all wounds.” It’s an idea many of us cling to, especially during dark and challenging times. But if you’ve lived through trauma—whether that’s the trauma of war, loss, or personal tragedy—you already know how painfully untrue that can be.

Trauma doesn’t just disappear as the days pass by. For many, especially during moments of conflict and war, trauma doesn’t stay locked in the past. It sticks with you. And it can follow you everywhere—into your thoughts, emotions, and body.

When Trauma Stays With You

Right now, in Israel, as the world feels uncertain and unsafe, many people are living in survival mode. Whether you’ve experienced war firsthand or felt its impact through the loss of loved ones, the constant threat of violence, or the uncertainty about the future, it’s hard to escape the sense that everything has changed. And for many, these traumatic experiences can’t be shaken off just because time passes.

For those who survive, the mind and body can sometimes hold onto the fear, the pain, and the despair long after the event is over. Even in moments of calm, certain sights, sounds, or smells can suddenly bring back the horror of the past—like a distant siren, the sound of something breaking, or even just the sight of the sun setting in a sky that once held danger.

These traumatic reminders are powerful. They make you feel like you’re reliving the past, as if no time has passed at all. You might find yourself avoiding places or people, feeling anxious or overwhelmed when there seems to be no reason, or reacting in ways you don’t fully understand.

The Myth of “Time Heals All Wounds”

For those who’ve lived through war and conflict, the promise that “time heals all wounds” can feel hollow. It suggests that if you just wait long enough, everything will go back to how it was before. But trauma doesn’t work that way. And deep down, many of us already know this.

Time alone isn’t enough to heal the wounds of trauma. The pain and fear that follow traumatic events don’t just fade away because the calendar changes. For some, the feelings even get worse over time, especially if the trauma isn’t addressed. Without the right kind of healing, the scars of trauma can remain raw, leading to anxiety, depression, or a sense of hopelessness that life will never feel “normal” again.

The Power of Triggers

One of the hardest parts of trauma is how it can show up in your life when you least expect it. These moments, called triggers, can happen at any time. A familiar smell, the sound of a siren, or even an innocent conversation can suddenly make you feel like you’re back in the moment of danger. For people living through war, the number of these triggers increases dramatically.

These triggers are reminders—sometimes subtle, sometimes overwhelming—that make your body and mind react as if you’re still in danger. This is why people who’ve experienced trauma often struggle with anxiety or hypervigilance, constantly scanning for threats, or they may experience emotional numbness, feeling disconnected from themselves and others.

Healing Requires More Than Time

If time alone doesn’t heal trauma, what does?

Healing from trauma takes effort. It takes support—from others and from yourself. It requires understanding that your reactions to trauma are natural but also that you don’t have to live in fear forever.

There are many ways to begin healing from trauma, and while everyone’s path will be different, some approaches can help you begin to process the pain instead of being trapped in it. Therapy, support groups, mindfulness practices, and sometimes even just the simple act of talking to someone who understands can help you begin to find a sense of peace again.

Healing also means learning how to live with the reminders. Triggers may always be there, but through the right kind of support, you can learn to handle them in ways that don’t pull you back into the past. You can start to regain control over your body, your mind, and your emotions.

It’s Okay to Ask for Help

One of the hardest things for many people, especially in the aftermath of trauma, is to reach out for help. There’s often a belief that you should be able to handle things on your own, or that others have it worse. But trauma doesn’t work that way. If you’re suffering, your pain is real, and it deserves attention and care.

Whether you’re a soldier, a civilian, a parent, a neighbor, or anyone caught in the turmoil of war, you are not weak for needing support. You are human. And sometimes, humans need more than time to heal. They need connection, guidance, and a way to find their footing in a unsafe world.

Moving Forward, Not Moving On

War leaves scars, not just on cities but on people. And while we can’t expect those scars to vanish with time, we can find ways to heal, little by little. Healing doesn’t mean forgetting what happened or pretending it never hurt—it means learning to carry the pain in a way that allows you to keep living.

The road to recovery might be long, and it won’t always be easy. But with the right tools, the right support, and the understanding that you don’t have to go through it alone, it’s possible to begin healing—even in times of war.

So, let’s put to rest the myth that “time heals all wounds.” Healing from trauma takes more than time—it takes action, support, and the willingness to reach out when things feel unbearable. No one should have to bear the weight of trauma alone.