We tend to think of trauma as some big event that causes PTSD, including symptoms like nightmares and flashbacks. While these things are true, trauma and symptoms of trauma can be subtle or show up where they aren’t expected. A traumatic event is anything that happens in which a person is negatively impacted to the point of not being able to regulate or re-regulate their emotions, body, and behaviors. Trauma can be something that happens once, multiple times, or is ongoing. Whether the trauma just happened or a long time ago people can experience a wide range of trauma responses.
Common responses to trauma can include irritability, having a hard time concentrating, sleep disturbances such as not being able to fall asleep, sleeping too much, or having nightmares; chronic pain, headaches, misuse of substances, and other self-destructive behaviors; or loss of interest in things that used to be enjoyable. This also can include shame, negative view of self, intrusive or unwanted memories, disordered eating, hopelessness, depression, dissociation or feelings of numbness, not being real or present, and emotional overwhelm.
These symptoms can make day to day life difficult for those experiencing them. A trauma informed mental health professional can help to reduce these symptoms through use of the following; grounding, mindfulness, working with the body, or engaging in different cognitive therapeutic interventions among other approaches.