Traumatic events can impact your daily life in a number of ways. Sometimes trauma symptoms are obvious (like flashbacks or hypervigilance), but sometimes trauma affects its victims in more subtle ways. Below are a few less obvious ways trauma may be affecting your life.

Anxiety or Depression:

When a person experiences a traumatic event it impacts them physically, emotionally, and mentally. It affects the person’s sense of safety and control. Often people who have experienced trauma develop symptoms of anxiety or depression in addition to other symptoms.

Feelings of shame:

Shame is a universal symptom of trauma. A person who has experienced a traumatic event can develop feelings of not being good enough, feeling like they are on the outside and don’t quite belong, and feeling a sense of being different somehow.

A sense of a shortened lifespan:

This is referred to as a sense of a foreshortened future. People who have experienced a traumatic event can develop a belief that their life will be cut short. They feel as though they will not have a family or successful career and feel a sense of limited expectations for their life.

Hyper-independence:

Independence is highly valued in our society, so this one is easily missed as a trauma response. Someone who experiences trauma (specifically relational trauma) learn that relying on others is not safe. They mistrust those around them and become independent as a way to keep themselves from getting hurt again. While being independent can be a good thing, it needs to be balanced with the ability to ask for help when needed and to let in safe support. If a person’s independence keeps them from seeking support or relying in a healthy way on others it may be independence to an unhealthy level and perhaps a trauma response.

Substance abuse and eating disorders:

Someone who has a trauma history may experience symptoms that are difficult to cope with, like flashbacks, nightmares, inability to connect with others, and deep shame. As a way to cope with these symptoms they may turn to substances or disordered eating to feel a sense of numbing out or control over their life or symptoms.

Sleep problems:

Trauma causes an increase in arousal and activates the person’s nervous system which can disrupt normal sleep patterns. People who have experienced trauma can have difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or sleeping deeply. Nightmares can occur. The aftermath of trauma creates a system that is always on high alert which disrupts the body’s natural sleep-wake rhythm and leads to a variety of sleep difficulties.

Start Working With a Trauma Therapist in American Fork, UT

Trauma affects a person’s body, nervous system, emotions, and sense of self and safety in the world. The effects are substantial and far reaching. If you are experiencing the effects of trauma you are not alone. There is help. Seek a qualified professional with The Family Therapy Clinic and begin your healing journey. You can start by following these simple steps:

1. Schedule a consultation.
2. Learn more about our team of caring therapists.
3. Start connecting with your teen on a deeper level!

Other Services Offered with The Family Therapy Clinic in Utah:

Support in overcoming trauma isn’t the only services offered at our American Fork, UT-based practice. The team at The Family Therapy Clinic can offer support with a variety of mental health issues including marriage counseling, adult anxiety, therapy for teens facing anxiety and depression, and OCD therapy, ensuring a holistic approach to mental wellness across different life stages. Visit our blog for more helpful info!