Emotional and Psychological Trauma
Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of an extraordinarily stressful event that shatters your sense of security, making you feel helpless in a dangerous world. Psychological trauma can leave you struggling with upsetting emotions, memories, and anxiety that won’t go away.
Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety, but any situation that leaves a person feeling overwhelmed and isolated can result in trauma, even if it does not involve physical harm. The more frightened and helpless you feel, the more likely you are to be traumatized.
Emotional and Psychological Trauma can be caused by:
- One-time events, such as an accident, injury, or a violent attack, especially if it was unexpected or happened in childhood.
- Ongoing, relentless stress, such as living in a crime-ridden neighborhood, battling a life-threatening illness, or experiencing traumatic events that occur repeatedly, such as bullying, domestic violence, or childhood neglect.
- Commonly overlooked causes, such as surgery (especially in the first 3 years of life), the sudden death of someone close, the breakup of a significant relationship, or a humiliating or deeply disappointing experience, especially if someone was deliberately cruel.
Emotional & psychological symptoms:
- Shock, denial, or disbelief
- Confusion, difficulty concentrating
- Anger, irritability, mood swings
- Anxiety and fear
- Guilt, shame, self-blame
- Withdrawing from others
- Feeling sad or hopeless
- Feeling disconnected or numb
Physical symptoms:
- Insomnia or nightmares
- Fatigue
- Being startled easily
- Difficulty concentrating
- Racing heartbeat
- Edginess and agitation
- Aches and pains
- Muscle tension
Trauma symptoms typically last from a few days to a few months, gradually fading as you process the unsettling event. Traumatic memories fade naturally with time. Persistence of symptoms is a signal that professional help is needed.
If you believe you are suffering from a traumatic experience, please contact me for a for a free consultation.
