Unprocessed trauma can be a burden you unconsciously carry with you. Perhaps you are hyper-aware of your surroundings, have trouble trusting others or struggle with low self-esteem. And you probably act as if everything is fine, when in reality it is not. It can be difficult to recognize unprocessed trauma. That's why we've compiled a list of 8 signs that you are carrying trauma.
This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent illness. Are you suffering from the consequences of a traumatic event? If so, always consult a (company) doctor or psychologist.
1. You resist positive changes
What happens when something good comes your way? Are you grateful or don't you trust it? Or do you feel guilty when you achieve a personal success? These may be signs that you have unprocessed trauma. If you find it difficult to allow positivity into your life, it may be that deep down inside you don't believe you deserve to be happy.
2. You want to be in control of everything
Do you always want to be in control of everything? Do you feel frustrated when things go differently than you intended? The need to be in control may stem from a traumatic event in which you have felt helpless and enormously vulnerable. As a result, you now try to plan and control everything (even the things outside your control). You have lost faith in the world around you and in yourself.
3. You are afraid to fail
Being afraid to fail is part of being human. Fear of failure need not be a bad thing and actually shows that you have a great desire to achieve success. Yet fear of failure can be unhealthy if the fear outweighs your motivation to achieve success. Fear of failure can keep you from seizing opportunities, working productively and using your creativity. The fear of failure can come from a negative belief you have about yourself. This is often the result of unresolved trauma.
4. You have trouble concentrating
The psychological effects of trauma can cause a lack of concentration. Perhaps you can't concentrate at work, suffer from gaps in your memory or sometimes black out. Don't ignore these signals from your mind. They may be a cry for help to heal unprocessed trauma.
5. You find it hard to accept help
Do you find it hard to tell others what you've been through? If you have experienced some form of abuse or mistreatment, you often find it difficult to ask others for help. There is fear of being rejected or you don't want to be seen as "weak. You would rather suffer in silence than ask anyone else for help.
6. You have low self-esteem
Trauma can distort your self-image - especially if the trauma is rooted in early childhood experiences. Abuse and neglect can both cause you to doubt your self-worth. But events such as being bullied, feeling like you don't belong and (minor) insults can also cause you to doubt your self-worth.
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7. You hurt others or yourself
Do you sometimes suffer from uncontrollable anger or lash out at others? Do you try to keep your loved ones at a distance or erect a wall as soon as someone gets close? Trauma can cause you to take your pain out on those you love most. You are emotionally unstable, unable to control your own emotions and extremely sensitive. You may even throw a tantrum or hurt yourself.
8. You have unexplained mental symptoms
Having anxiety, negative emotions and panic attacks can all be signs that you are carrying trauma. But you may also be sleeping poorly, losing your appetite or no longer getting pleasure from the things you used to enjoy doing.
What is trauma?
The word "trauma" is Greek and literally means "wound. Trauma is a major event that overwhelms you and upsets you so much that you become overwhelmed. In that moment, you feel extremely confused, angry or bewildered and do not know how to respond to this "threat.
Canadian-Hungarian physician, speaker and author Gabor Maté, who specializes in trauma, explains that trauma is not the event itself, but that what happens inside you as a result of this event. According to Maté, you can actually think of a traumatic event as a psychological scar. Trauma leaves an imprint on your nervous system, body and mind, and often resurfaces at a later time.
Trauma is a personal experience, which means that something may be traumatic for you, while it may not necessarily be so for someone else. It depends on your personality and previous experiences. It is important to understand that there is no universal way to process trauma because trauma varies from person to person.
It is often the subtle forms of trauma that are easily overlooked or ignored, but accumulate over time and negatively impact our mental health. These can be small, vulnerable moments, such as being insulted, the sudden departure of a friend or partner or feeling unaccepted.
What types of trauma are there?
There are different types of trauma can have different impacts on our lives. By understanding the type of trauma, it is easier to take steps toward processing the trauma
- Acute trauma. This type of trauma occurs as a result of a one-time event, such as a car accident, natural disaster or violent attack.
- Multiple or complex trauma. Multiple or complex trauma refers to repeated, prolonged traumatic experiences that usually occur over a period of time. Examples include long-term physical or sexual abuse, abuse during childhood, chronic neglect or domestic violence. Complex trauma can cause a variety of symptoms, such as anxiety disorder, low self-esteem or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
Can you heal from trauma?
Unfortunately, you cannot undo a traumatic event. But you can heal the wound the traumatic event caused. The first step in healing trauma is to acknowledge it. Only by acknowledging that you experienced something terrible that you are still suffering from today can you heal the trauma. After this, you can identify your own patterns and triggers, understand the cause behind the trauma, and take the next steps toward recovering from trauma.
