If you’re questioning the possibility of a trauma, here we’ll list some primary signs or symptoms that may possibly indicate you have experienced a trauma. If you recognize these signs and symptoms in your life (or your loved one’s), we encourage you to pursue therapeutic assessment and help with a licensed professional who specializes in trauma. To revisit the previous blogs in this series, you can click here for Part 5, or here for all blogs in this series.
Primary signs and symptoms – these are the things you may notice initially in conjunction with trauma:
- Intrusive thoughts or images – sometimes unexplainable, seem disconnected, or out of the blue, may feel pretty alarming
- Loss of memory and concentration abilities
- Confusion or disorientation
- Mood swings
- Avoidance of activities, places or people that trigger memories of the event
- Avoidance of activities, places or people that were previously enjoyed
- Social isolation and withdrawal
- Easily startled
- Tremendous fatigue and exhaustion
- Heart beating faster when at rest
- Nightmares
- Sleep avoidance; unable to fall asleep, stay asleep, or feel rested when you awaken; sleeping more than usual; change in where you prefer to sleep (Ie., can only sleep on the couch or in a chair, or only with the TV on, etc.); change in sleep quality
- Muscular discomfort or tightness
- Sexual dysfunction
- Changes in eating patterns; weight gain or weight loss
- Unexplained aches and pains
- Extreme alertness; always on the lookout for any sign of potential danger
- Unable to tolerate down time or peace and quiet; must be constantly occupied
- Overwhelming fear
- Obsessive and compulsive behaviors
- Detachment from other people and emotions
- Emotional numbing
- Depression, anxiety, or panic attacks
- Shame, guilt, or survivor’s guilt
- Emotional shock or disbelief
- Irritability, edginess, anger
Secondary symptoms will be addressed in the next blog, and then we’ll look at what can be done about trauma! We’ve shared all of this to help you know that there is great news: trauma can be healed, and the GROW team would be happy to help you get started!
Adapted from Cascade Behavioral Health’s Symptoms, Signs & Effects of Emotional Trauma.
Written by: Mindy Pierce
