Emotional Trauma Symptoms Psychological Concerns: Anxiety and panic attacks, fear, anger, irritability, obsessions and compulsions, shock and disbelief, emotional numbing and detachment, depression, shame and guilt (especially if the person dealing with the trauma survived while others didn't)
Emotional reactions to trauma can include: fear, anxiety and panic. shock – difficulty believing in what has happened, feeling detached and confused. feeling numb and detached.
Fight, flight, freeze, fawn: the four types of trauma response. Healthy stress responses aren't inherently negative; they can help you stand up for yourself in the short term. However, while trauma is a major cause of internal upheaval, it may be taken to an unhealthy and wearing extent.
Emotional Symptoms of Trauma
Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks related to the traumatic event. Intense feelings of fear, anxiety, or panic. Avoidance of reminders or triggers associated with the trauma. Hypervigilance or being constantly on guard for potential threats.
Emotional Symptoms of Psychological Trauma
However, sometimes the trauma is so overwhelming that a person is left feeling emotionally numb. Irritability, sadness, mood swings, feelings of helplessness, guilt, shame, and self-blame are also common.
Surviving abuse or trauma as a child has been linked with higher rates of anxiety, depression, suicide and self harm, PTSD, drug and alcohol misuse and relationship difficulties.
Many do not realize they have had a traumatic experience because most believe “a trauma” is only something dramatic or changes their world entirely. But trauma can be big (large “T”) or little (“small “t”). Both of these forms of trauma can impact the way you see yourself and the world.
Fear and Anxiety
Anxiety is a common and natural response to a dangerous situation. For many people it lasts long after the trauma has ended. This happens when one's views of the world and sense of safety have changed and become more negative. You may become anxious when you remember the trauma.
Unresolved trauma puts people at increased risk for mental health diagnoses, which run the gamut of anxiety, depression and PTSD. There are physical manifestations as well, such as cardiovascular problems like high blood pressure, stroke or heart attacks.
Practicing avoidance of people, places, or things that may be related to the traumatic event; this also can include an avoidance of unpleasant emotions. Flashbacks, nightmares, and body memories regarding the traumatic event. Addiction and eating disorders in an attempt to escape or numb negative emotions.
The effects of trauma may never completely go away, but we can help make them more manageable.
No one type of trauma is “worse” than another. You can even experience the same type of trauma—or even the same event—as someone else and have different reactions to it. If something hurts you, it hurts, and your natural emotional reaction is valid. It can be helpful to think about “big T” trauma and “little t” trauma.
Trauma is not physically held in the muscles or bones — instead, the need to protect oneself from perceived threats is stored in the memory and emotional centers of the brain, such as the hippocampus and amygdala. This activates the body whenever a situation reminds the person of the traumatic event(s).
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.
Unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, relationship problems and physical symptoms like headaches or nausea are some of the ways that unresolved trauma can manifest, according to the American Psychological Association.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Children and adolescents with PTSD have symptoms such as persistent, frightening thoughts and memories or flashbacks of a traumatic event or events.
Attachment and relationships
Another warning flag of childhood trauma that carries over into adulthood are problems forming attachments and relationships. For example, if your childhood trauma was caused by a loved one or caregiver, you may learn to mistrust adults.
Trauma Can Sometimes Lead to PTSD
Intrusive memories, such as flashbacks that launch you back into the traumatic memory or nightmares. Avoidance, meaning an intense need to avoid thinking about or being reminded of the trauma. Negative thoughts and feelings, such as hopelessness, guilt, and self-blame.
If the trauma is left untreated, one can experience nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, depression, phobias, substance abuse, panic attacks, anger, irritability, or hopelessness.