What Are The Signs Of Trauma?
Trauma Counseling in Los Angeles, CA
Many people are suffering from trauma but don't realize it themselves. In fact, some people would even tell themselves that their trauma is no big deal and that they should get over it. However, regardless of the cause or when it happened, trauma is never something to be taken lightly.
The idea of minimizing trauma does not only occur among other people, but it can also occur within yourself. You may think that you don't have any sort of trauma hidden away, but you might be surprised about what you find out if you dig a little deeper within yourself.
What Are the Signs of Trauma?
Trauma can cause physical, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive changes. Signs and symptoms of trauma can include:
Physical Symptoms:
• feeling tense, jumpy, or on edge
• being easily irritated or angered
• having trouble sleeping or sleeping too much
• being easily startled
• having trouble concentrating
• feeling like your mind is going blank
Emotional Symptoms:
• feeling numb or disconnected from your emotions
• feeling hopeless, helpless, or worthless
• feeling guilty or ashamed
• feeling like you are in danger or that the world is dangerous
• feeling like you are going crazy
Behavioral Symptoms:
• withdrawing from friends or activities you used to enjoy
• using alcohol or drugs to cope with your feelings
• acting out in violence or aggression
• self-harming or harming others
Cognitive Symptoms:
• having trouble remembering details of the event
• having negative beliefs about yourself or the world
• feeling like your life is not worth living
• having trouble trusting other people
Acknowledging and Handling Trauma
It's important to seek professional help if you're struggling to cope with trauma. However, you can also do some things to help yourself deal with trauma. Here are some tips to help you cope with trauma:
1. Acknowledge Your Feelings
Feeling scared, angry, and helpless after experiencing a traumatic event is normal. Don't try to bottle up your emotions. Instead, allow yourself to feel them. Acknowledge that what happened was traumatic and that it will take time to heal.
2. Talk about Your Experience
Talking about what happened can be a helpful way to process your emotions and start to heal. Find someone you trust to talk to, such as a friend, family member, therapist, or counselor. If you don't feel ready to talk about your experience, you can write about it in a journal or blog.
3. Seek Professional Help
If your symptoms are severe or you're struggling to cope, seek professional help. A therapist can help you work through your emotions and develop healthy coping mechanisms.
4. Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of yourself physically and emotionally after a traumatic experience is important. Eat healthy foods, exercise, get plenty of sleep, and find ways to relax. Avoid using alcohol or drugs to cope with your emotions.
5. Connect with Others
Spending time with loved ones can help you feel supported and connected. Talking to others who have experienced trauma can also be helpful. There are also online support groups available if you're not ready to talk to people in person.
6. Be Patient with Yourself
Recovery from trauma takes time. Be patient with yourself, and don't expect to heal overnight. Allow yourself to grieve and process your emotions at your own pace.
Conclusion
Trauma can leave you feeling scared, isolated, and helpless. However, it's important to remember that you're not alone. Many resources are available to help you heal and get your life back on track.