Does your internal dialogue sounds like this?
“It feels like I’m always on edge, like something bad is about to happen”.
“I always feel like I am asking for too much.”
“I am so broken that I don’t even know if this can be ever fixed”
When we think about trauma, many of us picture events like war, accidents or abuse. Trauma can include a one time, multiple or overtime repetitive events, that can impact different individuals, differently. Trauma is not always a result of a major event and it doesn’t always show up in the most obvious ways. It in fact, might present itself in the form of subtle emotional, cognitive or physical symptoms that one might dismiss.
Being able to recognize the early signs helps an individual be aware of how trauma manifests in their brain and body, and help them respond with care, support and compassion to prevent long term emotional and psychological harm.
Early signs of trauma
Our personal lens shapes how our brain processes and remembers each event. The danger caused by the traumatic event, may have passed, but our nervous system stays activated, causing our body to protect itself by entering a stress response or what we call “trauma response”- fight, flight, freeze or fawn. If the distress caused by the threatening experience remains unresolved or is too overwhelming to be processed at the time, our nervous system relies on these reactions, which we refer to as the feeling of being “stuck”.
The therapists at The Trauma Healing Center pooled in some common statements on what early signs of trauma might look like when heard from people suffering from trauma;
“I am so broken that I don’t even know if this can be ever fixed”
“I just don’t know who I am”
“I feel numb to everything now, I’ve felt overwhelmed for so long that I don’t feel anything anymore”
“I just feel like I am too much no matter how small I make myself”
“I’m always on alert”
“I feel so alone, even when I’m around others. No one gets it”
“I feel more comfortable in chaos than quiet”
“I don’t get it — it’s like the same pain keeps showing up in different ways, and I don’t even know what I did to cause it.”
Some of the most common early signs as indicated in the above statements as well are;
- Avoidance of People, Places, Events, and Reminders:
People might find themselves avoiding certain situations, people or activities that remind them of the traumatic experience. This can manifest as putting off performing a task, withdrawal from social interaction or choosing familiarity over change. - Emotional Numbness/ Disconnection or Dissociation or Zoning out:
You might feel cut off from others and yourself or emotionally flat. It might be difficult to enjoy tasks that you once felt joy in, or even feel sadness or love. Some individuals describe this feeling like “watching their life play out in front of them, from the outside.” - Irritability, Restlessness, Agitation or Mood Swings:
Individuals might experience sudden mood changes with no clear understanding of the cause. One might feel sudden anger, panic or frustration. It’s also noticeable in situations like these that the emotions felt are disproportionate to the actual situation. - Sleep Disturbances, Bad Dreams, Nightmares, Vivid Dreams and Broken Sleep:
People might notice difficulty falling or staying asleep. They also experience frequent nightmares causing a lack of sound sleep. - Hypervigilance, On Edge or Anxiety:
A threatening experience in the past can leave your body in a state of constant vigilance, bracing for something bad to happen even in the absence of any eminent danger. - Difficulty Concentrating:
Trauma may cause difficulty focusing on tasks at hand. An individual who is experiencing the early signs of trauma feels lost and confused. The effects of trauma interfere in a person’s ability to remember details and perform everyday tasks in life. - Physical Symptoms, visceral reactions and bodily discomfort:
Trauma, if left unresolved, takes its form as somatic symptoms in the body. It might show up as unexplained headaches, muscle tensions or cramps, stomach issues, body aches and lack of energy. These symptoms tend to persists without a medical diagnosis.
Why early recognition matters
Early recognition of trauma symptoms is crucial for the timely intervention and prevention of the development of a more severe mental health concern. Many people dismiss the early signs by minimizing their experiences. But trauma is more than just the event itself, it’s the impact of the threatening experience on our bodies. Being able to recognize the early signs of trauma can make all the difference in the world.
Here are some of the reasons why it matters;
- Prevents escalation:
Recognizing trauma early can help prevent more severe mental health conditions like PTSD, chronic anxiety, depression or substance use. Timely recognition can help with early and faster healing process. - Developing healthy coping mechanisms:
Recognizing the early signs of trauma can help individuals develop healthier regulatory mechanisms to calm their nervous system down, as opposed to circling through maladaptive behaviors that reinforce trauma responses. - Restores a sense of control:
After an individual faces a traumatic event/events, the nervous system might get overwhelmed and unable resolve the internal chaos. Recognizing the early signs can restore some sense of control over their life, reinforcing autonomy. - Improves relationships:
Trauma can cause people to experience difficulty in social interactions and communication. Recognizing the signs and causes of trauma can help in development of a strong support system leading individuals to feel less isolated and confident. - Encourages self-compassion:
Many trauma survivors spiral with questions like “Why me?” or “What is wrong with me?” If an individual is able to understand the causes behind these symptoms, it helps take away their sense of guilt and fosters self-care and empathy.
Final Thoughts:
Healing from a distressing memory, event or a series of events can take up a lot a strength in an individual, but it doesn’t state anywhere that it has to be done alone. Whether through individual therapy, group support or trauma informed care, a variety of different approaches are present to help an individual in their therapeutic journey. With the right support healing is not only possible, it’s definite.
Start by listening to your body, and know that you deserve care and support.
To learn more about how we can support you, contact us and book your first initial free consultation for 20 minutes.