Trauma is different for everyone but what is it?
Trauma is a normal reaction to an abnormal situation.
How to know if you have trauma
Symptoms of trauma include psychological and somatic symptoms. Signs can manifest in your mind and emotions, and in your body. These symptoms of trauma vary depending on the person.
Some symptoms of unresolved trauma are persistent, some come and go, some fluctuate with stress, some change over time. Oddly, trauma can switch how it expresses, changing from one trauma symptom to another depending on what’s going on in the person’s life, and some surface years after the event. 
One key is that symptoms of trauma usually come in groups and become increasingly complex over time. In fact, they often end up becoming disconnected with the original event or experience that was traumatic. Any symptom can arise regardless of the event, perhaps because of genetic predispositions or a multitude of factors.
Psychological Symptoms of Trauma
Research continues to grow which indicates that pretty much all psychiatric symptoms and diagnoses are directly linked to trauma and related (even unconscious) memories.
Get assessed by a trauma professional.
Our licensed mental health professionals look at symptoms as whole, an entire constellation, to make an assessment. We understand that the current classification system for psychiatric diagnoses are almost useless when it comes to actually healing trauma and related illness.
Psychological (Mental & Emotional) symptoms of trauma include:
- Chronic Emotional Dysregulation
- Flashbacks or Emotional Flashbacks
- Difficulty with Sleep or Insomnia
- Restless Legs Syndrome
- Nightmares
- Traumatic Reenactment
- Body Dysmorphic Disorder
- Loss of sustaining beliefs (spiritual, religious, interpersonal)
- Decision fatigue, inability to make commitments or plans
- Shifts in perception of abuser(s), feeling as if they are all-powerful or all-knowing, or revenge fantasies
- Emotional Suppression
- Relationship Issues or Instability
- Chronic loneliness /isolation
- Avoidance of relationships or emotional intimacy
- Reactivity, irritability, mood swings, anger, aggression, fear
- Fear of or uncertainty around close relationships
- Difficulty being alone
- Discomfort of trouble being or feeling close to others
- Difficulty making or keeping friends
Somatic (Body-based) Symptoms of Trauma
- Illness, Chronic Illness
- Pain, Chronic Pain
- Self-Harm Behaviors
- Addiction or substance dependency
- Fatigue, Chronic fatigue
- Muscle Constriction
- Restless Legs Syndrome or General Restlessness
- Headaches, Migraines
- Neck/back problems
- Severe PMS Symptoms
- Hives, Rashes
- Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction (TMJ)
- Cardiac issues
- Tension
- Pressure
- Congestion
- Muscle or Joint Aches or Stiffness
- Tingling or Numbness
- Paralysis
- Difficulty Regulating Body Temperature
- Tinnitus
if you experience some or many symptoms of trauma,
Schedule an appointment with one of our Licensed Therapists
