What is trauma?
Trauma is a big word and it can apply to many different things. From childhood memories to more recent events, anything that made you feel like you were going to die or has shaken your feeling of safety, security and your understanding of the world can be classed as trauma. It’s a personal thing what you do or do not define as trauma, but even if you’re not keen on the word you may recognise some of the symptoms.
Symptoms of trauma
Trauma has emotional, relational and physical symptoms that can be long lasting. Experiencing trauma can affect our ability to trust in and develop new relationships. It can affect our attachment style and our perspective of other people. We may feel easily overwhelmed, or completely disconnected from the world. We may see threats everywhere. It is common to experience depression and anxiety if you have been through trauma, as well as disordered eating and substance abuse issues. A lot of people who have been through trauma may be diagnosed with PTSD (though not being diagnosed doesn’t mean your trauma isn’t affecting you).
Most people are surprised by how much trauma can affect our physical health. Aches and pains can often be linked to trauma, as can headaches. Long term medical issues are found to occur with a history of trauma such as diabetes.
There are some symptoms of trauma that can be more distressing or frightening than others. For example, dissociation is when you feel completely disconnected from the world and yourself. Flashbacks are the re-experiencing of the incident as though you are there. These are normal reactions to trauma, and something that can be worked through in therapy.
Why can’t I get over my trauma?
Unfortunately, trauma is not something we can just get over and most people will find it takes time to accept and move past an incident that involved the intense fear, distress and/or pain that trauma often does. People who have grown up with security and a feeling of being loved AND who have a good support network around them at the time of the incident have been found to have an easier time processing the trauma than those who haven’t. Therapy can be useful for those who need some help processing the trauma, offering a safe space to tentatively explore what has happened.
Want to move on from your trauma?
Moving on from trauma is a process that can be difficult to do alone. Therapy can help you get where you want to be.