Traumatic Experiences and Their Effect on Our Physical and Emotional States

by Restorations Therapy Center on Wednesday, May 6th, 2020

Trauma is anything that disrupts or creates distress within a person’s life. There is a multitude of experiences that may cause someone trauma. Soldiers in combat, car accident survivors and domestic abuse survivors all encompass those who experience traumatic events.

Traumatic Experiences

         Experiences that may be considered traumatic include, but are not limited to:

• Personal loss
• Relationship harms
• The death of a loved one
• Loneliness
• Violence
• Addiction
• Emotional abuse

Common Emotional and Physical Responses to Trauma

         Our bodies and brains respond to traumatic events, both emotionally and physically. Therefore, most survivors of traumatic events report an assortment of reactions following their experiences. Survivors of trauma may experience difficulties in regulating their emotions, including the common emotional responses to trauma after the event, which include:

• Fear
• Sadness or depression-like symptoms
• Shame
• Anger

Common physical responses to trauma include:

• Physical aches and pains
• Problems related to sleep
• Gastrointestinal disorders
• Heart issues
• Neurological problems
• Respiratory complications
• Skin disorders
• Urinary system problems
• Substance use disorders (SUDs)

The Signs of Unresolved Trauma

         It is essential to deal with the physical and emotional signs of trauma as they occur since their build-up may cause chronic issues and subsequent substance misuse. Signs of unresolved trauma may include the following:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Hyperactivity
• Feeling numb or disconnected from the others and the world
• Emotional withdrawal from friends and family
• Negative patterns in personal relationships
• Substance misuse leading to substance use disorders (SUDs)

         Ignoring emotional wounds related to traumatic experiences only leads to more problems down the road. Often, these wounds arise and may present themselves in the form of physical responses and then drive individuals to self-medicate using drugs or alcohol, possibly developing a SUD. Sadly, attempting to escape emotional and physical pain related to trauma often leads to these addictive behaviors and never heals these emotional and psychological wounds. SUDs are merely a band-aid for underlying issues, and one must cultivate excellent coping skills to deal with the effects of traumatic experiences.

Do You Need Help Dealing with Trauma in Your Life?        

No trauma that one experiences is insignificant. Every single person experiences life differently, so it is not surprising that everyone’s perceptions of trauma differ. Things that may cause traumatic emotional pain for one person may not affect another. However, it is imperative to recognize the traumatic event and not suppress the feelings surrounding the experience. Suppression of negative emotions only leads to psychological issues and possibly subsequent SUDs. Processing through trauma helps individuals feel pure freedom, as they release the emotional pains from the past. If you or someone you know is struggling, call us today at (720) 446-6585.