Trauma is an emotional pain that is sometimes hard to explain. It can make you feel misunderstood or alone.
Here are some common reactions to trauma:
- Losing hope for the future
- Feeling distant (detached) or losing a sense of concern about others
- Being unable to concentrate or make decisions
- Having dreams and memories that upset you
- Avoiding people, places and things that remind you of the traumatic event
- Feeling helpless, fearful, sad, shocked, numb, or not able to feel love or joy
- Getting easily upset or agitated
- Blaming yourself or having negative views of oneself or the world
- Being unable to trust others, getting into fights, or trying to control everything
- Being withdrawn, feeling rejected, abandoned, and/or not wanting intimacy
You may also experience more physical reactions such as:
- Feeling on guard and easily startled
- Stomach upset and trouble eating
- Trouble sleeping and feeling very tired
- Pounding heart, rapid breathing, feeling shaky
- Sweating
- Severe headache if thinking of the event
- Not keeping up with exercise, diet, safe sex or regular health care
- Having your ongoing medical problems get worse
You don't need to be alone with your pain!
I have extensive experience supporting trauma survivors, including survivors of sexual trauma on their healing journeys.
Let's connect-- I'm ready when you are.