Experiencing trauma can have deep and lasting effects on its survivors. Whether an individual experienced a recent traumatic event or an adult survivor of childhood trauma, trauma tends to stick around like a guest who lingers too long after a party. However, unlike the guest that we can eventually get out of the house, close the door, and call it a night, trauma can't be pushed away and forgotten about. Trauma is stubborn, persistent, and oftentimes relentless.
Before we explore how it shows up, let us first define trauma. Trauma is an injury, of sorts, that happens after a person either experiences or witnesses an event that threatens their sense of safety or puts their life or someone else’s life at risk. Trauma can be the result of a singular event, such as a house fire; recurring events, such as domestic violence; or even events that happened years ago, such as an adult who experiences sexual abuse as a child.
When we experience a trauma, in the midst of it, we can often feel confused; unable to make sense of things. Things we would typically know and have learned, we can no longer access. For example, we are taught when we are involved in a car accident, we are to stay where we are, call for police assistance and await their arrival. However, for those of us who have been in a car accident, suddenly, figuring out the next steps can be hard; we can often feel disoriented, and this is even with some of the smallest fender benders. Considering this, it makes sense that when a life-threatening event occurs, we can feel very disoriented.
The effects of trauma go beyond the moment the event occurs; the effects of trauma can stay with us. Both the mind and body tend to carry the trauma.
The Mind
Trauma leaves invisible scars and wounds but can show up in our lives in very real ways. Emotionally, it can look like:
· Anger
· Irritability
· Guilt
· Shame
· Hopelessness
· Disconnected or numb
These emotional reactions may not always make sense; in fact, they rarely do to the survivor. After surviving a trauma, one can be left feeling like they are going crazy, or like they don’t even know who they are any longer. But, it is important to know that these effects of trauma are typical and expected. While our brain is struggling to make sense of the trauma, which is oftentimes an unsensible event, sense-making can feel impossible and frustrating. Sometimes those around us don’t understand why we can’t “just get over it, already”; sending a message that there is something wrong with us. Plus, there are times when trauma happens when we struggle to understand if we played a role in the traumatic event which creates additional stress and trauma. It’s important to note, more times than not, a person who experienced trauma is not to blame, but that doesn’t mean more times than not, survivors of trauma still blame themselves.
The Body
· Sleep disruptions: insomnia or sleeping too much
· Nightmares
· Flashbacks
· Trouble Focusing
· Feelings of panic or irrational fear
· Body aches
· Gastric Disruptions
Trauma doesn’t just live in our minds through our emotions, but also in our bodies. Through flashbacks, a phenomenon where we feel like we are re-experiencing the trauma, our bodies can relive the feelings it felt during the trauma. For example, a woman who was raped may feel the breath of her rapist on her neck, as she did during the assault. While the rape is no longer happening, her body is reliving the experience. The stress of the trauma can cause tension throughout the body, causing body aches, such as neck pain. Nightmares can also happen following a trauma, and the nightmares may not always be related to the traumatic event. It’s not uncommon that nightmares are disturbing, fear-inducing dreams that have nothing to do with the trauma. Instead, the dreams bring to life the feelings of panic or ongoing fear. To avoid nightmares, insomnia could result.
Understanding what trauma is, and how it shows up, it is also important to acknowledge that trauma can be resolved and it is possible to heal from it. Breaking through the shame and isolation starts with finding a trusting person to talk to; like a friend, family member, or even a trauma expert.
If you’re interested in exploring your journey in healing, reach out to ThoughtWell Counseling Services and request your free fifteen-minute consultation today to see if we are the right fit for you.
Written by: Dana Hicks, LCSW
ThoughtWell Counseling Services, LLC
856-315-0410
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