8 Signs Of Emotional Trauma

Dec 25, 2018

One important point of emphasis that is successful at alleviating the pain and suffering that common to survivors of emotional trauma is this: You are not your thoughts. It also important to understand the thoughts referred to in this statement are not the cognitive functions that are carried out consciously.

The thoughts referred to here are those negative and sometimes nasty voices in your head that remind you of your lack of worth, the probability of failure, and many other terrible things. The endless chatter of the mind has led many individuals down the dark roads of depression, anxiety, and substance abuse.

Chronic stress has been identified as an epidemic in the 21st Century by the United Nations. It is also viewed as a trauma catalyst.

Psychological or emotional trauma is damage caused to an individual who has endured a frightening or distressing experience. Trauma can play a negative role in how an individual is able to function following the traumatic event. Some events that are known to present a high risk for trauma are:

• A sudden exposure to a dangerous or violent event like a car accident, robbery, rape, or terrorist act.
• Long-term exposure to violence or danger in situtions like war, child abuse, or sexual abuse.
• Exposure to problematic romantic relationships.
• The sudden loss of a loved one.
• Being diagnosed with a serious illness
• Being bullied
• Experience failure or humiliation on a large scale

Trauma can often result in severe depression and anxiety. A perfect example of this is sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder. Many individuals suffering the effects of trauma fail to seek the help they need. A major reason is the individual may not know they are in need of help. It is important to recognize the signs that trauma may be having a negative effect on the life of a person.

Individuals with a history of trauma are at greater risk to suffer from sleep disorders. Insomnia and sleepwalking are two sleep disorders that are common for traumatized individuals. These problems have been attibuted to the chemistry of the brain. The amygdala region of the brain is responsible for the release of stress hormones. This area of the brain is directly affected by trauma and can disrupt normal sleep patterns.

The mind of an individual with a history of trauma often recreate the bad experiences of their past. When this happens, the person is forced to live through the experience again. The problem is made worse by the fact that ordinary experiences that happen each day can trigger these flashbacks.

Flashbacks can increase in frequency and intensity without treatment. Fortunately for flashback sufferers, therapies are available to help them cope and eventually no longer suffer from this problem.

A relationship between trauma and suicide has been demonstrated by a number of studies. Professor Thomas joiner is of the opinion that trauma victims have less hesitancy in regards to suicide than others. Joiner wrote about the issue in the American Psychological Association. In the piece, joiner expressed that repeated exposure to pain and fear can increase the chance an individual will follow through on thoughts of suicide.

Experiences dealing with trauma become hardwired to the limbic system of the brain. Brain scans taken from individuals suffering from PTSD show a significant difference from scans of normal brains. Feelings of fear, anxiety, and panic occur in trauma victims more often due to these changes in the limbic system.

The human brain is a remarkable creation. Through evolution, the brain has developed the ability to adapt to almost any circumstance. If you need to prove this fact to yourself, you only need to think about the variety of things accomplished by human beings and the many places that have been reached. The human mind was actually able to build a rocket that would carry a man to the moon.

The adaptability of the brain can be a major liability for trauma victims. The adjustments made by the brain to endure trauma often results in stunted emotional growth and blunted psychological development.

The Department of Veterans Affairs reports that anger can be a serious issue for individuals who have experienced trauma in their lives. When trauma is suffered during the childhood years, changes can occur in the brain that will cause it to become difficult for the individual to control emotions. Because of this, angry outbursts are common among trauma survivors. Feelings of betrayal also cause increased feelings of anger. This fact leads to possibilities for trauma victims to become involved in violent situations themselves.

Multiple studies have drawn a direct link between histories of trauma and substance abuse. One study involving 587 patients who experienced trauma in their childhoods found that many participants abused multiple substances throughout their lives. Forty-three percent of subjects reported marijuana abuse. Thirty-nine percent admitted to a dependence on alcohol. The percentage of participants that abused cocaine was 34 percent. And for heroin, the abuse rate was six percent. The authors of the study explain neural structural changes following trauma alters brain functions. These changes can result in psychological disorders and cognitive defects.

It has already been mentioned that anxiety often occurs after a traumatic event. This anxiety is often chronic in nature and makes it difficult for the sufferer to relax. Hypervigilance is a state of mind where individuals feel they are 'on guard' all the time. This state of mind is common for individuals with a history of trauma. The signs of depression following trauma are quite similar to the symptoms of anxiety and include irritability, the inability to concentrate, and nervousness.

Have you observed any of these signs of trauma in yourself or another individual? Send this article to the people you know. There is a great possibility you will reach someone that really needs the information.

Our content is created to the best of our knowledge, yet it is of general nature and cannot in any way substitute an individual consultation by your doctor. Your health is important to us!