How Trauma Shows Up in Our Everyday Lives

Trauma can affect everyone in different ways. Depending on the type of trauma you’ve experienced, your mind and body will react in ways you may not expect. You may not even realize that the decisions you make in life are a result of your trauma. It’s important to remember that you are NOT defined by your trauma, and your ability to cope with it isn’t reflective of how strong you are. 

What is trauma? It’s a word we hear often in pop culture and social media, but what does it really mean?

Simply put, trauma is a person’s emotional response to a distressing experience. There are three types of trauma: Acute, Chronic and Complex. Acute trauma is the result of a single incident, like a car accident, natural disaster or sexual assault. Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged, like bullying and child abuse. Complex trauma occurs when someone experiences different types of traumatic events and are often of an interpersonal nature, like incest, ongoing physical or emotional abuse, chronic neglect or abandonment or medical abuse or medical trauma.

When you’ve experienced trauma, it may show up in different ways throughout your life. You may experience physical or mental symptoms, issues with relationships and at work, or find yourself not able to enjoy things that once brought you joy.

Physical Symptoms

Trauma can manifest physically, and we may not even realize that what’s happening with our bodies is trauma-induced. It can show up in various ways, such as:

-Fatigue and exhaustion

-Racing heart 

-Nightmares

-Flashbacks

-Being easily startled 

-Weight loss or gain

-Stomach aches

-Migraines

-Sexual dysfunction

Psychological Symptoms

Many of the physical symptoms will be accompanied by psychological issues as well. When you are experiencing both the physical and emotional symptoms, this may be a good indicator that whatever you’re feeling could be trauma induced. You may also find that your emotions are difficult to regulate. Emotional symptoms include: 

-Panic attacks

-Anxiety

-Depression

-Apathy or “numbness”

-Suicidal ideation 

-Mood swings 

-Avoidance

-Fear

-Anger

-Irrational thoughts

-Irritability 

Because of the trauma you experienced, you may be living in a state where the memory of the event leaks into your mind and affects the way you live, the decisions you make and the way you interact with the world around you. You may be living within the memory of the event and not in your current state, and without treatment, the memory can manifest into deeper physical and psychological issues. 

If you have experienced a traumatic event and need help moving forward and healing, please contact us. We specialize in treating trauma and would be honored to walk the path with you.