Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extraordinary stressful events that shatter your sense of security, making you feel helpless and vulnerable in a dangerous world.
Traumatic experiences often involve a threat to life or safety, but any situation that leaves you feeling overwhelmed and alone can be traumatic, even if it doesn’t involve physical harm. It’s not the objective facts that determine whether an event is traumatic, but your subjective emotional experience of the event. The more frightened and helpless you feel, the more likely you are to be traumatized
Commonly overlooked sources of emotional and psychological trauma
Falls or sports injuries
Surgery (especially in the first 3 years of life)
The sudden death of someone close
An auto accident
The breakup of a significant relationship
A humiliating or deeply disappointing experience
The discovery of a life-threatening illness or disabling condition
Childhood trauma results from anything that disrupts a child’s sense of safety and security, including:
An unstable or unsafe environment Separation from a parent Serious illness Intrusive medical procedures | Sexual, physical, or verbal abuse Domestic violence Neglect Bullying |
Emotional symptoms of trauma:
Shock, denial, or disbelief Anger, irritability, mood swings Guilt, shame, self-blame Feeling sad or hopeless | Confusion, difficulty concentrating Anxiety and fear Withdrawing from others Feeling disconnected or numb |
Trauma and the body
Trauma disrupts the body’s natural equilibrium (mental or emotional balance), freezing you in a state of hyperarousal and fear. In essence, your nervous system gets stuck in overdrive. Successful trauma treatment must address this imbalance and reestablish your physical sense of safety.
You can bring your nervous system back into balance by discharging this pent-up(restrained/suppressed) energy in a physical way:
Trembling or shaking Sweating Breathing deeply Laughing | Crying Stomach rumbling Feeling of warmth Goosebumps |
Process trauma-related memories and feelings
Discharging pent-up “fight-or-flight” energy
Learning how to regulate strong emotions
Building or rebuilding the ability to trust other people
Yun Fei