We all know of the effects of physical traumas, which leaves wound on the physical body. But
we know little of the effects of emotional traumas that leaves wounds on the soul. All wounds,
whether physical or psychical, 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: homeostasis, Inflammatory, Proliferation, and Maturation phases.
All physical wounds go through the four stages of healing as described below:

1. Homeostasis Phase: This is the bleeding phase, where blood carry clotting ingredients to
   cover the wound.
2. Inflammatory Phase: This is when the pain is being deeply felt as swelling, redness and heat
   are aggravated.
3. Proliferation 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.
4. 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 fester, because unlike physical wounds, they are invisible,
and so oftentimes overlooked, and not enough energy expended on their healing. Healing of
non-physical wounds also go through four phases:

▪️Emostasis
▪️Inflammatory
▪️Proliferatve
▪️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 steps
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 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.