How Do You Know If You’re Traumatized?

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9/14/22, 1139 AM
How Do You Know If Youre Traumatized?
How Do You Know If Youre Traumatized?
Home / Trauma / How Do You Know If
The word trauma seems to be everywhere. The
terms increase in common usage is a positive
sign of mental health awareness and its
importance to living a healthy life. But with so
much information swirling around, how do you know
if youre traumatized? An accurate understanding
of trauma can help you identify where you are
and how to move forward. Understanding
Trauma Trauma looks different for every person.
Its your bodys individualized response to an
extraordinarily stressful event, experience, or
set of reoccurring experiences that leaves you
stuck in a place that can affect your mental
health and overall well-being for a long time.
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9/14/22, 1139 AM How Do You Know If Youre
Traumatized?
Traumatic experiences frequently involve threats
to life or safety and trigger a
survival response. Once the initial reaction
subsides, people experiencing trauma are left
with the feeling that the world is an unsafe
place. CAUSES OF TRAUMA INCLUDE One-Time
Events. Accidents, life-altering injuries,
assault, or an unexpected threat to stability
(particularly during childhood) are common events
that lead to trauma. Relentless Stress. This
category deals more with everyday life. Living in
a crime-ridden neighborhood, battling or
supporting someone with chronic illness, racism,
being subjected to repeated bullying or abuse, or
neglect can induce trauma. Extraordinary
Circumstances. The sudden death of a loved one, a
painful breakup, or extreme disappointment can
also lead to trauma. Since trauma is such an
intensely personal experience, its vital to know
how it manifests itself to determine if you have
lasting traumatic effects. How Do You Know If
Youre Traumatized? Most people think they would
know if they are traumatized. But its not that
simple. Some signs are more subtle or can happen
long after the event or experience, making
connecting the cause and effects
difficult. SIGNS TO BE AWARE OF
INCLUDE Uncontrollable Thoughts. Do you find it
difficult to redirect your thoughts to your
current surroundings and circumstances? Do they
spiral to an anxiety- ridden place where you
feel helpless? Trauma can present itself in this
way. Flashbacks. Do certain sounds, sights,
smells, or locations take you back to the
incident? Is your daily life disrupted by
haunting memories or nightmares?
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9/14/22, 1139 AM How Do You Know If Youre
Traumatized?
Any strong reaction that doesnt seem connected
to your present life could be
an effect of trauma. Loneliness. Persistent
feelings of loneliness and failure are frequent
symptoms of trauma. Overreacting. Do you always
seem on guard? Do you startle easily? Do you
panic when small things dont go according to
plan? These could be signs of trauma. These
common signs and countless others persist even
when you try to move past them. Trauma takes
away a persons sense of choice, said Carmen
Dominguez, Executive Clinical Director at
Integrative Life Center. So, she said, its
important for treatment to help that person
regain control of themselves. Clients need to
experience therapeutic relationships that make
room for authenticity and mutuality while
fostering trauma-informed considerations such as
transparency, collaboration, cultural humidity,
voice choice, and self-agency, she continued.
Healing From Trauma
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9/14/22, 1139 AM How Do You Know If Youre
Traumatized?
The great news is that through therapeutic
relationships and proven techniques,
you can heal from trauma and live a happy,
healthy life. According to Carmen, theres no one
way to treat trauma because everyones
experience is different. But there are some
proven techniques to help you on your
journey. PRIORITIZING SELF-CARE Healthy bodies
tend to cope better with trauma-induced stress
than those that are fatigued and run down.
Getting plenty of quality is sleep is an
essential way to look after your health.
Traumatic events can cause sleep disturbances
that can exhaust your mind and body. This issue
only exacerbates your symptoms. Try to go to
sleep around the same time each night in a
distraction-free environment and aim to get at
least seven hours of rest. Avoiding drugs and
alcohol, which people often use to mask trauma
symptoms temporarily, can help lessen your
feeling of anxiety and isolation. And eating a
well-balanced diet along with plenty of exercise
can give you energy and boost your
mood. CONNECTING Trauma can make those
experiencing it want to retreat, leading to
feelings of isolation and loneliness. Reaching
out to loved ones for support can be a lifeline.
They can act as trusted confidantes with whom you
can share your thoughts and feelings. Support
groups with people who have similar experiences
can help you feel less alone. They can also give
you ideas for coping with your feelings and
moving past your trauma. Getting involved in
community organizations can remind you of the
good you do and give you a sense of purpose, and
making new friends can broaden your experiences
and social circle.
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9/14/22, 1139 AM How Do You Know If Youre
Traumatized?
SEEKING PROFESSIONAL HELP.
If your symptoms dont ease and you cant seem to
find a way forward, trained professionals might
be your best path to recovery. There are many
paths to healing. However, the destination to
ones inherit worth is of most importance. We
want to guide clients back to their inherit
worth, to the intrinsic wisdom that is within
them, Dominguez concluded. Treatment At ILC The
negative emotional affect resulting from trauma
manifests itself in many ways. There is no
typical response to a traumatic event or
experience. And people respond differently to
the same traumatic happening. So, if you think
you may be traumatized, its critical to seek
professional help. Trauma response is unlikely
to go away on its own. If you or a loved one are
experiencing the effects of trauma, ILC is here
to help. Contact us today to find out what
treatment options are best for you.
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