At some point, everyone will endure a painful event. These episodes have the potential to elicit an emotional response called “trauma.” In the U.S., about seven in 10 people have experienced a traumatic event. Common examples are physical, emotional, domestic, or sexual abuse. Other such experiences include:
Neglect or abandonment
Loss of a loved one
Victimized by crime or terrorism
Living through a war
Divorce or separation
Injury, illness, accident, or disability
Natural disaster
Witnessing violence perpetrated on another
The average person is familiar with the emotional fallout of trauma. However, it can also take quite a toll on your body.
Trauma Types and Symptoms
Generally speaking, all of the above examples of trauma fall into one of the three following categories:
Acute: Resulting from a single event
Chronic: Resulting from repeated and prolonged exposure
Complex: Resulting from exposure to multiple events
An all-too-frequent outcome of any of these crises is Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This condition manifests in distressing symptoms like:
Intrusive thoughts
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Avoiding anything that reminds you of the traumatic event
Avoidance in general
Hyper-vigilance
Anxiety
Depression
Thoughts of death, self-harm, and suicide
As mentioned above, trauma also presents a wide range of potentially debilitating physical symptoms. Let’s explore those next.
The Toll Trauma Has On Your Body
Our bodies are designed to respond to any kind of danger or risk. The sympathetic nervous system launches the fight-or-flight response. The parasympathetic nervous system can also step in to shut down or “freeze” responses to conserve energy. Many of your body’s functions and organs are directly connected to these reactions.
Trauma, unfortunately, has the power to short-circuit this efficient design. You can get “stuck” in a state of high alert. Everything feels like a possible threat. You are living in the fight, flight, or freeze responses all the time. Obviously, this can wreak havoc on your body. It never gets to rest and all of your systems are overloaded. The resulting signs and symptoms vary widely. Here are just some of the countless possibilities:
Paleness or flushing red
Lethargy, low energy, and fatigue
Chronic fatigue syndrome
Racing heartbeat
Anxiety attacks
Panic attacks
Sweating
Feeling jumpy
Headaches
Muscle tension
Chronic and/or unexplained pain
Fibromyalgia
Upset stomach
Irritable bowel syndrome
Acid reflux
Increase or decrease in appetite
Poor concentration
Easily startled
Edginess
Insomnia and other sleep-related disturbances
Sexual dysfunction
Take another look at both lists of symptoms. It’s not hard to imagine how a flashback nightmare could re-trigger the trauma. This reaction may result in, say, digestive issues or lack of sleep. Such physical symptoms then make you more vulnerable to anxiety and depression. From there, the cycle begins again and it usually intensifies. This makes it absolutely imperative that you seek treatment and practice self-care.
Self-Help Steps
Keep a Journal: Learn to identify and intercept triggers by keeping track of them
Practice Stress Management: Look into ideas like breathing exercises, meditation, yoga, and Tai Chi.
Daily Self-Care: Make healthy eating choices. Do your best to get to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Be certain to get some kind of daily exercise or physical activity.
Grounding Techniques: Develop methods to bring yourself back into the present moment whenever you feel threatened or triggered. For example, some people name (out loud) items they see in their line of vision.
Getting the Treatment You Need and Deserve
The toll trauma takes on your mind and body will need relief. The proven path toward such recovery begins with a phone call to a mental health professional. Many effective treatment options exist. Reach out today to set up a free and confidential consultation.
To read more about Trauma and PTSD Treatment, click on this link.