#Trauma meaning series#

These flashbacks often exacerbate feelings of anxiety, depression, and panic. Even though you know the trauma is in the past, it feels like you’re right back in the chaos.

In some cases, flashbacks can feel incredibly debilitating. Flashbacksįlashbacks refer to involuntarily reexperiencing trauma after the event has happened. You might avoid certain triggers that remind you of the trauma. As a result, you may be hypervigilant to the people around you. This paranoia often emerges from the fear that somebody or something will harm you again. You may feel paranoid after a traumatic event. In extreme cases, confusion can lead to memory problems and complete forgetfulness. You might find yourself walking into a room and forget why you’re there. For instance, days may blend into each other. You might also feel somewhat disorientated. The confusion can be related to feeling unclear about the events that happened to you or why they happened. ConfusionĬonfusion may persist after feelings of numbness or shock. It’s usually a way to try to convince yourself that the reality wasn’t so terrible (even if it was). It’s in the past.ĭenial isn’t the same as lying.

It can also sound like, I don’t even think about it that much. In some cases, people may deny the severity of the event that happened to them.ĭenial can sound like, It really wasn’t that big of a deal. It helps you from feeling absolutely flooded by the trauma. In some ways, shock serves as a protective measure. You may not be able to process the events that happened to you fully. These feelings often indicate being in a state of shock. Numbness/ShockĪfter an acute trauma, it’s normal to feel a sense of apathy or numbness. It’s okay to have good days and bad days- this is a normal part of the recovery process. If you’re the one struggling, remember that your feelings are real. It’s important to be open-minded, sensitive, and compassionate when supporting a loved one. No two people respond to trauma in the same ways. What Symptoms Do People Experience After Trauma? It can seem like a never-ending cycle of despair, anger, and hopelessness. Family-related stress related to extreme conflicts of interests and estrangementĬomplex trauma happens when it feels like the traumatic events keep blending into one another.Prolonged experiences with homelessness or severe financial distress.What Are the Main Symptoms of Childhood Trauma in Adults? Complex Trauma in AdulthoodĬomplex trauma in adulthood can happen in various situations, including: Many children present well in the outside world and can seemingly conceal any real proof of trauma. But in other cases, this trauma can be far more discreet. They might have difficulty with authority or present as disheveled. For example, the child may struggle in school or bully other children. Homelessness or transitioning in-and-out of foster care systemsĪt times, the evidence of complex trauma is apparent.Mental health problems within the family.Extreme financial instability and distress.Lack of secure attachment to caretakers.Prolonged neglect and real or perceived abandonment.Complex Trauma in ChildhoodĬomplex trauma in childhood often includes a combination of the following variables: When a child endures complex trauma, they may experience severe psychological distress. This kind of trauma may be the most severe- it can ultimately affect someone’s development and sense of safety in the world. Complex TraumaĬomplex trauma refers to experiencing chronic trauma with long-term emotional and physical symptoms.

#Trauma meaning series#

Parents and caregivers, watch this series on cyberbullying to learn more about this societal epidemic. Additionally, bullying can make it challenging to form meaningful relationships, as it can feel hard to trust other people.Īs the use of social media continues to grow, so does cyberbullying. The more people “gang up” on you, the more their actions can impact your sense of safety in the world. Although some people assume it’s only a childhood issue, many adults suffer from the consequences of bullying in the workplace.īullying undoubtedly affects someone’s self-esteem and self-worth. Bullying can entail mental or physical abuse. Some research shows that persistent bullying represents a form of chronic trauma. And if they get caught, the perpetrator often engages in even more dangerous abuse. It becomes a vicious cycle- even if someone wants to leave, they may not have the resources to make it happen. They also tend to strip away their confidence while increasing their dependence on the relationship. That’s because perpetrators often isolate their victims from loved ones.

Survivors of IPV often indicate having a desire to leave the relationship multiple times before they actually do so.