Trauma and Ketamine Therapy: “Other People Have Had It Worse”
Trigger Warning: This article includes reflections on trauma and emotional pain. Please seek support if you feel triggered while reading.
The Myth of “Other People Have Had It Worse”
One of the most common things people say when discussing their own pain is:
“Other people have had it worse.”
On the surface, this statement seems wise and even noble. It shows empathy for others, a sense of proportion, and sometimes even gratitude.
But beneath it, there’s often something else: a hidden invalidation of one’s own suffering.
Gratitude or Avoidance?
Take the example of a child who has been bullied and now struggles with nightmares and anxiety. The child might say, “At least I don’t get beaten like my friend.”
It sounds resilient—but it may also be avoiding a deeper truth: that they are in pain.
Or imagine someone living in a home filled with conflict or emotional abuse. One day, they arrive at work with visible signs of distress. When asked, they say, “It’s tough, but at least I’m not in the ER like my neighbor.”
Yes, they’re functioning. They’re surviving. But acknowledging the pain is often the first step toward healing.
The Depth of Pain Doesn’t Have to Be Compared
One of our favorite metaphors is this:
It doesn’t matter if a person drowns in six feet of water or ten feet. The result is the same.
Your trauma doesn’t have to look like someone else’s to matter. Your pain is real—even if someone else’s looks louder, messier, or more visible. The goal is not to rank pain. The goal is to heal.
When Avoidance Becomes a Barrier to Healing
Using comparison to cope with trauma can be adaptive—especially when people need to function through chaos.
But when the opportunity to heal arrives, that same strategy becomes a wall.
To heal, you must say:
“This pain deserves my attention. Even if someone else had it worse, this still hurt me.”
How Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy Can Help
When it’s time to face what you’ve buried, Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) can provide a safe, supportive doorway.
KAP allows you to:
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Step outside rigid defenses like shame and minimization
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Reconnect with exiled parts of your experience
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Be gently guided by a trusted therapist or guide through the deeper layers of emotion
You do not have to do it alone. And you do not need your trauma to meet a certain standard before it’s “allowed” to be healed.
When the Time Is Right, We’re Here
At Blossom, we’ve walked with many individuals who said, “It wasn’t that bad,” only to discover how deep their wounds really were—and how beautifully they could heal when finally seen.
If you’ve begun to open the door to your pain, or you’re ready to start, reach out. Ketamine therapy can help you move through that door with courage and support.