Emotional trauma, which is also known as mental trauma or psychological trauma, can greatly impact an individual’s life, not just emotionally but also physically and behaviorally.
Simply put, emotional trauma takes place when one or more distressing events or circumstances result in a person’s ability to cope with the situation getting overwhelmed. When this occurs as the result of several traumatic events over a period of time, it is possible that any of those on its own would not have resulted in trauma.
Causes of emotional trauma can be just about anything. Amongst the most common ones are abuse, being a part of or witnessing an accident, seeing the loss of someone’s life and experiencing neglect.
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Emotional signs of trauma
Here are a few of the most common emotional signs of trauma.
Anxiety and constant worry
Of course, we all experience anxiety and worry from time to time. However, in some cases, these feelings can become overwhelming and develop into anxiety disorders. Emotional trauma can cause this progression, affecting the nervous system and leading to increased symptoms such as sleep disturbances, muscle tension, and constant worry. In fact, feelings of panic or even full-blown panic attacks may occur, especially if they were not present before the trauma was experienced.
Depression or overwhelming sadness
Feeling down from time to time is normal, but emotional trauma could cause those feelings to descend into a state of depression or overwhelming sadness. Connected with that can be feelings of hopelessness in the future. Withdrawing from others – social withdrawal – can happen as well.
Mood swings and difficulty controlling emotions
Another change that could occur for some who have had emotional trauma is experiencing mood swings and difficulty controlling emotions. Mood swings are sudden and unexpected changes to a person’s mood while emotional dysregulation can result in difficulties controlling impulses, having angry outbursts and experiencing a feeling of being overwhelmed by these developments.
Feeling numb or disconnected from emotions
Sometimes, emotional trauma can result in a feeling of numbness or of being disconnected from a person’s own emotions or from others’ emotional states. This usually results from the brain protecting itself from pain by shutting down its emotional responses. One of the most common results of this feeling of numbness is no longer caring about things that used to be passions.
Physical signs of trauma
Emotional signs of trauma can also have an impact on an individual’s physical well-being.
Fatigue and low energy levels
In some cases, those who have suffered emotional trauma will experience a significant amount of fatigue and endure low energy levels. In other words, tasks that used to be fairly easy will become much more difficult while moderate activities may become physically overwhelming. This is usually due to how much energy managing emotional trauma usually takes.
Chronic pain or unexplained physical symptoms
Sometimes, chronic pain or unexplained physical symptoms can result from the mental effects of experiencing trauma. This is because the same part of the brain that regulates emotions and helps people focus also processes and regulates pain. Perhaps you are now experiencing unexplained physical symptoms, such as headaches or neck tension, which were actually caused by emotional trauma.
Sleep issues, including insomnia or nightmares
Some who have suffered emotional trauma may experience sleep disturbances, which can include insomnia, restless sleep patterns or nightmares, when sleep had previously been much more restful and rejuvenating. In some cases, hypervigilance, the body remaining on alert for threats related to that trauma, is the cause as that hyperarousal continues through the night.
Gut health can be negatively impacted by emotional trauma as an increase in stress can decrease the quality of an individual’s gastrointestinal process. In other words, symptoms such as abdominal pain and irritable bowel syndrome – i.e. an upset stomach – can be caused by trauma.
Behavioral signs of trauma
Emotional trauma can also result in behavioral signs of trauma being shown. Here are a few examples.
Withdrawal from relationships and isolation
Social withdrawal is a common sign of emotional trauma. These individuals sometimes spend much less time with family and friends than had been the case before, usually as a result of feeling depressed or anxious. Also experienced by many is no longer enjoying social activities that had been positive experiences in the past or still wanting to socialize but now having difficulty doing so.
Hypervigilance or being easily startled
After someone has experienced trauma, the brain may go on high alert, being on the lookout for a similar occurrence, which is usually exhausting and makes it difficult to focus in other ways. A common example is an ex-military member being startled and experiencing flashbacks when a car backfires, but this can instead show up in many other ways, partially depending on the trauma experienced.
Substance use as a coping mechanism
In some cases, a person who had suffered emotional trauma will self-medicate with substances such as alcohol or non-prescribed and possibly illegal drugs. These can be used with the intent to numb emotions, to help fall asleep or to try to limit the number of flashbacks or nightmares.
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Not being able to focus can result from emotional trauma as well. This can have a negative impact on work, such as through poorer work output, as well as on an individual’s personal life. Connected with that is less of an ability to make decisions as it can become much more difficult to analyze the pros and cons of the choices that are being considered. This all results from an exhausted mind.
Helping yourself
There are several coping strategies you can use to help yourself recover from emotional trauma. Some of the most common include engaging in physical activity and practicing meditation and mindfulness, which can help reduce intrusive thoughts and focus on the present rather than dwelling on traumatic memories. These strategies can alleviate symptoms of emotional distress, such as stomachaches, muscle tension, or emotional numbness. Relaxation techniques can also help. It’s essential to create a support system that may include loved ones, family members, trauma support groups, and healthcare providers specializing in trauma therapy.
Importance of seeking help
For many trauma survivors, seeking professional help is crucial, as untreated trauma often leads to lasting mental health conditions and worsened physical health over time. Untreated trauma can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), self-destructive behaviors like substance abuse or self-harm, or overwhelming negative thoughts. These can become life-threatening if left unresolved. Seeking treatment early can prevent the lasting effects of unresolved trauma and help regain control over daily life.
If a month or more has passed since the traumatic incident or childhood trauma, and you continue to experience symptoms like intrusive memories, heightened anxiety, sleep disturbances, or feelings of self-blame, it may be time to seek help. Professional treatment, such as psychotherapy, can reduce the negative effects of trauma. Therapy options include cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), cognitive processing therapy (CPT), prolonged exposure therapy, and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). In some cases, medications like antidepressants or anti-anxiety medications can be part of your treatment plan.
Co-occurring disorders
Emotional trauma often coexists with other mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, or substance use disorders. Individuals who experience childhood abuse or life-threatening events may turn to destructive behaviors, such as substance abuse, to cope with their emotional reactions. In these cases, people might use substances like drugs or alcohol to escape the pain of traumatic memories, creating a cycle that worsens both the trauma and addiction.
It’s vital to treat both conditions simultaneously through trauma treatment and co-occurring disorder programs, which address the complex relationship between emotional trauma and substance use. For those with substance use disorders, a detox program can help manage the physical impacts of addiction, while therapy focuses on the effects of trauma and helps individuals avoid using substances as a coping mechanism. Treatment should be holistic, addressing both the trauma and addiction to achieve lasting recovery.
Conclusion
If you’ve experienced emotional trauma—whether due to childhood experiences, natural disasters, or other traumatic stressors—it’s crucial to recognize the signs and seek help if they interfere with your life. Symptoms like anxiety disorders, depression, fatigue, and hypervigilance can signify unresolved trauma. If you identify with these symptoms, seeking trauma therapy can greatly assist your recovery.
At Allure Detox, we specialize in treating both substance abuse and emotional trauma through a comprehensive, integrated approach. Addressing these issues together is the most effective way to heal and recover, as separating their treatment often leads to limited success.
Contact us today to take the important step toward healing from trauma and recovering from substance use.
Published on: 2024-10-22
Updated on: 2024-10-22
