Following a traumatic event, the emotional distress experienced can make it difficult to relate to others. This might mean that a person withdraws from family and friends, stops attending social activities, becomes overprotective, or has difficulty expressing or managing emotions.
Teens and adults who experienced early adversity such as abuse, neglect or extreme deprivation are more likely to be socially isolated, spend time in jail, and develop psychological disorders including anxiety and depression.
Emotional Responses
Children who have experienced complex trauma often have difficulty identifying, expressing, and managing emotions, and may have limited language for feeling states. They often internalize and/or externalize stress reactions and as a result may experience significant depression, anxiety, or anger.
Complicated Social Interactions
Toxic stress can alter brain development in ways that make interaction with others more difficult. Children or youth with toxic stress may find it more challenging to navigate social situations and adapt to changing social contexts (Hanson et al., 2010).
Trauma at a young age can severely influence the developing brain. New research suggests that trauma experienced in adolescence might create specific social impairments which can be problematic for adolescents as they mature.
When social withdrawal is a symptom of trauma, and the person suffering does not have a social support system in place, or simply avoids engaging with that system, then they may experience some of the more adverse effects of social withdrawal and isolation. These include: Loneliness. Strained relationships.
Listening to and understanding what people say. Communicating thoughts, needs, and feelings through words and actions. Managing your emotions in social interactions. Respecting social boundaries and social rules (for example: not standing too close to someone, not asking overly personal questions.
Intrusive memories
Recurrent, unwanted distressing memories of the traumatic event. Reliving the traumatic event as if it were happening again (flashbacks) Upsetting dreams or nightmares about the traumatic event. Severe emotional distress or physical reactions to something that reminds you of the traumatic event.
Delayed responses to trauma can include persistent fatigue, sleep disorders, nightmares, fear of recurrence, anxiety focused on flashbacks, depression, and avoidance of emotions, sensations, or activities that are associated with the trauma, even remotely.
A child who has experienced this type of trauma and holds much shame may show us behaviours such as: envy, anger, and anxiety, effects of sadness, depression, depletion, loneliness, isolation and avoidance. They will highlight to us their inadequacy, their powerlessness and at times their own self-disgust.
Research has evidenced that the development of social anxiety disorder is more prevalent among those who have experienced trauma and chronic stress. Some of the traumatic events understood to have predictive value for the onset of social anxiety include: Childhood abandonment or neglect.
Studies show that children who are maltreated or physically abused tend to form aggressive behaviors as well as disruptive behaviors and have difficulties in keeping social relationships that will follow along into their adulthood as to forming antisocial behavior.
Childhood trauma involving abuse can make trusting others very difficult. Trust issues can show up as extreme independence, in which you can not allow yourself to trust that someone else will come through for you. You fear being vulnerable like that or relying on someone else.
Simon et al. found that childhood trauma, in particular emotional neglect, was associated with greater symptom severity in a population with SAD. In addition, exposure to childhood trauma had a significant negative effect on functioning, resilience and quality of life.
It's quite another to commit to discussing it with someone else. The truth about trauma therapy is that it may make you feel worse at times. Trauma shatters a person's sense of safety, so it's vital to find a mental health professional you feel comfortable sharing with and trust to lead you through the healing process.
vivid flashbacks (feeling like the trauma is happening right now) intrusive thoughts or images. nightmares. intense distress at real or symbolic reminders of the trauma.
Uncomplicated PTSD is linked to one major traumatic event, versus multiple events, and is the easiest form of PTSD to treat. Symptoms of uncomplicated PTSD include: avoidance of trauma reminders, nightmares, flashbacks to the event, irritability, mood changes and changes in relationships.
They might even smile or laugh. This can seem strange or confusing, but in fact it's very common - it happens because trauma can cause such strong feelings that your mind may 'cut off' or dissociate from your emotions. Hearing about trauma can be really hard, whether or not someone shares specific details.
Most people are indeed entirely unaware that they are suffering from trauma at all. Many put their symptoms and negative experiences down to stress which is often vague and unhelpful, particularly when trying to get to the core of the problem.
Symptoms of Unresolved Trauma
Lack of trust and difficulty opening up to other people6. Dissociation and a persistent feeling of numbness7. Control issues, to overcompensate for feeling helpless during the traumatic incident8. Low self-esteem and feelings of worthlessness9.
Following a traumatic event, the emotional distress experienced can make it difficult to relate to others. This might mean that a person withdraws from family and friends, stops attending social activities, becomes overprotective, or has difficulty expressing or managing emotions.
Self-esteem is often an issue for adults who endured childhood trauma. Their intense and pervasive feelings of shame can lead to isolation, driven by the belief that any attempts to be social will be futile. Viewing themselves as unlovable, unlikable and unworthy of affection, they expect rejection.
Remember: PTSD is a normal response to abnormal circumstances. It's common for people with PTSD to isolate themselves. You may feel overwhelmed or unsafe in groups, quick to anger, misunderstood, or just uninterested in being around people.