Emotional trauma is the result of events which are deeply disturbing and may be horrific or terrifying, leaving you feeling unsafe, helpless or overwhelmed and shattered. The good news is that many recover fairly quickly and can move on with their lives. However for some the effects are deep and long-lasting, leading to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Read on to learn more about emotional trauma.
Understanding Emotional Trauma
Trauma can happen quickly or be the result of repeated events over a long period of time. When you experience a traumatic event, it’s common to have an emotional reaction. These stress responses are normal and not a sign of weakness. Unlike day-to-day stresses which you can process when they happen, trauma is an overwhelming event or series of events that your body and mind struggle to cope with and comprehend.
Signs of Emotional Trauma in Adults
You can experience a wide range of responses to emotional trauma, including [1]:
| Initial Reactions | Delayed Reactions | ||
| Numbness/ Detachment | Helplessness | Irritability and/or hostility | Shame |
| Anxiety or severe fear | Feeling unreal; | Depression | Feelings of fragility and/or vulnerability |
| Guilt (including survivor guilt) | Disorientation | Mood swings, instability | Emotional detachment |
| Exhilaration as a result of surviving | Feeling out of control/overwhelmed | Anxiety (e.g., phobia,) | |
| Anger | Denial | Fear of trauma recurrence | |
| Sadness | Constriction of feelings | Grief reactions | |
Effects of Emotional Trauma
Most trauma survivors show some of the immediate reactions but these typically resolve without severe long-term consequences. This is because most trauma survivors are highly resilient and develop appropriate coping strategies. Only a small percentage of people with trauma show symptoms of trauma-related stress disorders, including mood and anxiety disorders.
Emotional reactions to trauma can vary greatly and are significantly influenced by sociocultural background. Beyond the initial emotional reactions during the event, the most common emotions to occur are anger, fear, sadness and shame. Nonetheless, it may be difficult for some people to identify these feelings for various reasons, and some may define them as numbness or lack of emotions.
Some trauma survivors have difficulty regulating emotions such as anger, anxiety, sadness and shame, especially when the trauma occurred at a young age. Self-medication in the form of substance abuse is one way traumatized people try to regain emotional control, although it leads to further dysregulation.
Others engage in high-risk or self-harming behaviors, disordered eating, compulsive gambling or overworking, and repression or denial of emotions. Still others find creative, healthy ways to manage strong emotions.
Treatment Options for Emotional Trauma
Traumatic stress tends to bring about two emotional extremes: feeling overwhelmed with too much emotion and feeling numb with too little emotion. Treatment can help restore the balance and learn to balance and regulate your emotions without resorting too substance abuse or unsafe behavior.
There are a number of evidence-based treatment options for trauma, including:
- Mindfulness meditation
- Cognitive restructuring with variants of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) tailored for working with trauma
- Exposure therapy
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy
How to Properly Recover from Emotional Trauma
Recovery from emotional trauma requires patience as it can be a long road to recovery.
- The first step is recognizing that you are experiencing trauma, then reaching out to a trauma-informed therapist for help.
- Self-care is an equally important aspect, whether it be balanced nutrition, journaling, mindfulness meditation, exercise, yoga, movement, artistic expression or some other form of nurturing activity
- Maintaining your social connections with family, friends and the community is also key to combat loneliness and a feeling of lack of meaning.
Trauma Treatment in Utah
Treatment is available in Utah. Are you or a loved one looking for a compassionate space to heal from trauma or PTSD, other mental health issues or addictions? Our licensed trauma-informed professional therapists and counselors at Corner Canyon Health Centers can provide compassionate help using a range of therapeutic and holistic techniques.
Reach out to our Admissions team now at Corner Canyon. We’re in a peaceful setting bordered by the beautiful Wasatch Mountains.
Sources
[1] Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services. Rockville MD: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (US); 2014. (Treatment Improvement Protocol (TIP) Series, No. 57.) Chapter 3, Understanding the Impact of Trauma.
