January 3, 2021

Emotional Trauma

Emotional trauma is the result of experiencing significant stressful events causing an emotional wound and keeping an individual stuck in the past. Potentially traumatizing events include any form of violence or abuse, microaggressions, accidents, physical illness, medical procedures, natural disasters, and any type of loss or major life change. Emotional trauma affects one’s ability to control their emotional, cognitive, physical reactions to triggers resulting in increased levels of anxiety, numbness, hypervigilance, and disconnection from others.

Trauma is categorized as acute, chronic, or complex, that is; how suddenly trauma symptoms appear, how intense the symptoms are, how long unresolved symptoms last, when one experiences the traumatic events, and how many unresolved trauma someone has had over time. A person does not have to experience the event directly to be traumatized as they can be traumatized from learning that a loved one has experienced the trauma or witnessed it happening to someone else. Additionally, one is most likely to be traumatized when they have a history of trauma, are under a lot of stress, or have recently suffered through losses.

What does emotional trauma look like?

One may experience:

  • Shock and numbness.
  • Intense emotions of sadness, hopelessness, shame, and guilt.
  • Find it difficult to control emotions and have extreme mood swings.
  • Inability to relax.
  • Having difficulty concentrating. 
  • Racing thoughts.
  • Forgetfulness.
  • Confusion regarding time and space. 
  • Denial of the event.
  • Constantly feeling overwhelmed.
  • Severe depression or anxiety.
  • Struggle to connect with others.
  • Have recurrent nightmares or sleep disturbance.
  • Experience intrusive thoughts or flashbacks.
  • Have difficulties keeping up with responsibilities at home, school or work.
  • Avoid anything that reminds one of trauma.
  • Engage in addictive and dangerous behaviours like substance abuse, self-harm, suicidal attempts and risky sexual behaviour.

Recovering from emotional trauma takes time and one must go at their own pace. If you recognize any of these signs in yourself and would like support to process it, reach out to us to discuss a personalized therapy plan. At Wazo Therapy Clinic we support individuals towards post traumatic growth. Interventions we use reduce psychological distress and increase self regulation skills, leaving someone feeling lighter, having clarity, and feeling more like themselves.

Reading suggestions

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If you are going through a transition or know someone who is struggling with one, and you would like support to reflect and navigate through it, reach out to us to discuss a personalized therapy plan.

References

  • Center for Substance Abuse Treatment (US), 2014. Understanding the Impact of Trauma, Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. Rockville (MD): Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US). (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 57.) Chapter 3. Available from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/
  • Robinson L., Smith M., Segal J., 2024, Emotional and Psychological Trauma, HelpGuide.org, https://www.helpguide.org/articles/ptsd-trauma/coping-with-emotional-and-psychological-trauma.htm