The vast majority of Americans will be subjected to at least one traumatic incident at some time in their lives, and the psychological consequences for many will be significant and long-lasting. Do you know how to recognize the signs of emotional trauma in yourself?
When I was in my college psychology class it occurred to me that I had in fact suffered emotional trauma. This realization was devastating to me at the time, but that almost instantly turned into healing.
For me, understanding why I had certain behaviors, reservations, and triggers was everything. The self-awareness washed over me and with a new sense of understanding, I was able to turn a page and lead a more productive and meaningful life.
Understanding emotional trauma in yourself begins with recognizing the signs of emotional trauma so you can unpack their root and heal accordingly. Continue reading to gain a better understanding of these signs today, so you can start growing into a better you tomorrow.
Understanding Emotional Trauma
The Effects of Trauma
If you’ve been through an exceptionally upsetting or stressful situation that has left you feeling powerless or terrified, you may be suffering from emotional trauma. According to the National Council for Behavioral Health, over 70% of adults in the United States, or around 223 million individuals, have been through at least one traumatic incident in their lives.
Traumatic incidents are experiences that cause tremendous dread, fear, or helplessness; in many situations, these are experiences that put you or someone close to you in danger of harm or death.
Traumatic experiences, at their heart, are those that alter your perception of the world around you. They frequently instill in you a sense of hopelessness, fear, and even worry that your life will end abruptly or prematurely.
Trauma can stem from a variety of sources, including; car accidents, acts of war, brutality, or long-term abuse, natural disasters, severe illness or disease, bereavement or loss, medical emergencies, neglect, or abuse in childhood.
There are some noticeable signs of emotional trauma. Exhaustion, confusion, anger, anxiety, depression, feelings of emptiness, or, on the other hand, a heightened sense of awareness are common early warning signs.
These are healthy and natural reactions to extenuating circumstances.
However, even after the threat has passed, some people exhibit more acute trauma symptoms. Long-term trauma symptoms include persistent anxiety or confusion, disassociation from the incident, and vivid recollections of the event.
In certain situations, you may have delayed emotional trauma symptoms such as sleep difficulties, repetitive reliving of the terrible incident, sadness, and avoidance behaviors when faced with feelings or situations that remind you of the traumatic incident.
The Signs of Emotional Trauma
We all react differently to trauma, and while there are no “right” or “wrong” methods to deal with traumatic circumstances, there are certain common symptoms and signs of emotional trauma.
Symptoms of emotional and psychological trauma include but are not limited to; trouble focusing, denial, anger, impatience, and trouble controlling one’s emotions, anxiety and fear, sadness or a sense of despair, and feeling aloof and cut off from people and daily life.
Emotional trauma not only impacts our mental health, but it may also have an impact on our physical health. In fact, studies have found a link between trauma and health problems such as heart disease, Cancer, high blood pressure, COPD and even type 2 diabetes
It’s hardly surprising, then, that many trauma-related characteristics are physical. Here are some examples of the physical effects of trauma; insomnia, fatigue, nightmares, increased heart rate, muscle tension and aches, and startling easily.