How do I know
if I have trauma?
Sleep is often one of the first areas impacted by trauma. This may include difficulty falling or staying asleep, oversleeping, nightmares or fear of sleeping alone. If these issues last more than a week, it could indicate trauma.
It’s not just about increased conflict; instead, assess whether your relationships have significantly deteriorated since the event. Unlike adverse experiences, trauma can cause profound distress that severely disrupts your relationships.
You may experience lightheadedness, dizziness, nausea, disorientation, extreme brain fog, numb emotions, time loss, violent outbursts, panic, the urge to flee or difficulty recognizing yourself or others.
If you are in danger, call 911 now.
Emergency services are available to provide the support and protection you need. Your well-being is paramount, and taking this step can save your life.
We can help identify and address trauma, manage symptoms, and guide you towards recovery.
The first step in resolving psychological trauma is identifying its root cause and understanding how it manifests in your life. Building self-awareness is crucial, as it helps you develop strategies to process the traumatic event in a comprehensible and manageable way. Over time, this process allows you to learn from the experience and move forward.
Individuals with trauma may exhibit a range of emotional responses, including fear, anxiety, and panic. They may also experience shock, making it difficult to accept what has happened, and often feel detached or confused. Another common reaction to trauma is emotional numbness and a sense of disconnection from their feelings and surroundings.
It’s important to understand that trauma is not a physical entity but a way of describing how your brain has processed a distressing event. Trauma doesn’t simply disappear; instead, therapy can help reprocess the traumatic event, much like untangling a tightly wound knot, making it less distressing over time.
Dealing with trauma requires patience and the courage to confront what causes you fear, pain, or distress. While it may be tempting to avoid thinking about a traumatic event, unhealthy coping mechanisms such as avoiding social interactions, excessive sleep, isolating from loved ones, or using substances to escape reminders are not sustainable long-term solutions.
The latest approaches to treating trauma emphasize memory reconsolidation, a process where traumatic memories are made less intense without being erased. Another crucial aspect of treatment is learning to manage and take responsibility for your emotions rather than allowing the traumatic event to control your feelings.
While psychotherapy is a common approach to dealing with trauma, it’s not the only option. However, trauma can significantly impact your life and the part of your brain responsible for healing. Seeking a second opinion on your behaviors and emotions can offer valuable insights into your progress and help you navigate your treatment more effectively.
