Trauma
Trauma comes in all shapes and sizes and manifests differently in different people.
Trauma can result from a single event, such as a car accident, natural disaster, home invasion, or sexual assault. It can also stem from the accumulation of recurring experiences, like family violence, childhood abuse, or exposure to war. Trauma may arise from witnessing a deeply disturbing event or from any situation that caused you to lose your sense of agency or control.
No two people react in the same way to the same experience. Some can process events and move on with life relatively unimpeded. However, others may feel haunted by the memory and unable to function or move forward. This paralysis can lead to a multitude of debilitating symptoms and unhelpful coping strategies.
Understanding Trauma
So, if trauma is broadly defined as a distressing experience from the past that negatively impacts our lives in the present, then why don’t we all suffer from symptoms of trauma?
The answer may be a little surprising. Trauma does not stem from the experience itself, but rather from the meaning we attach to it and how we process it. In the words of Dr. Gabor Maté, “Trauma is not what happened to us, but what happens inside of us because of what happens to us.”
When we experience a disturbing or distressing event, our body’s nervous system activates the “fight or flight” response via the limbic system. This is a natural reaction to a perceived or actual threat. During this time, a torrent of physiological changes floods the mind and body, enhancing our ability to protect ourselves and respond rapidly to the threat.
These responses include a rapid heart rate and breathing, heightened senses and alertness, the slowing down of nonessential organs, like the gut and a body primed and ready for action.
It is common for people to remain in a state of hypervigilance for some time after the incident. These symptoms can persist for days or even weeks before the nervous system naturally resets, and the body and mind recalibrate, allowing life to return to a more natural state.
For some, however, these overwhelming experiences can dysregulate the limbic system to such an extent that it struggles to integrate the event, leaving the mind and body stuck in a survival response and unable to return to normal functioning.
Given that trauma manifests through physiological symptoms, it makes sense to treat it on a somatic and sensory level.
Symptoms of Unresolved Trauma
Unresolved trauma can show up in all kinds of ways, and not always in the way you might expect. For some, it’s clear and connected to a specific event. For others, it’s more subtle, woven into how you feel, think, and move through life.
Emotionally, you might notice anxiety, low mood, irritability, feelings of guilt or shame, emotional numbness, and sudden or intense emotional reactions that seem out of proportion to the situation. You may feel stuck, overwhelmed, or weighted down by a constant heavy emotional load. You may also experience a general sense of unease or fear.
You may find it hard to concentrate, stay focused, or feel present. You might have intrusive thoughts or flashbacks, or just a nagging sense that something isn’t right.
Physically, unresolved trauma can manifest through tension in the body, fatigue, sleep disturbances like insomnia or nightmares about the event, or even digestive issues. The body may remain in a state of heightened arousal, unable to fully relax or feel safe.
In your day-to-day life, you might find yourself avoiding certain people, places, or situations. You may rely on coping strategies that get you through the moment but don't truly help in the long run, like substance use, emotional eating, overworking, or withdrawing. Relationships can feel challenging too, especially if you're struggling to trust, connect, or let your guard down.
The truth is, unresolved trauma doesn’t always look like we expect, and it can impact almost every aspect of our life, and can keep you locked into patterns of survival rather than being able to truly thrive.
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If you are ready to be free from the patterns that keep you stuck, then there is no better time than this moment to start creating the long-lasting change you desire.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation and take your first step towards healing from trauma.