Trauma can be the result of a very stressful event or multiple events that damage our sense of security. It can make you feel helpless and as if you are living in a dangerous world. This can have a big impact on our mental and physical health as well as our emotional, social, and spiritual wellbeing.

Some examples of traumatic events may include abuse, assault, accident, injury, sudden health problems, as well as large-scale events like natural disasters and war. It’s important to know trauma is both the negative experience and the response to a traumatic event. It is also highly personal. Two people can experience the same or similar event, but they can have a very different response to it. Some people may have a traumatic response to a single event and others may have a buildup effect of several or ongoing traumatic experiences.

We all react differently to different situations. A trauma response is most often a ‘typical’ response to a situation that isn’t normal. You may have experienced the following feelings:

• Shock, denial, or disbelief
• Confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Anger, irritability, or mood swings
• Fear, anxiety, or feeling on edge
• Guilt, shame, and blame
• Withdrawing from other people
• Feeling sad or hopeless
• Feeling disconnected from others or numb to situations

You may also experience physical symptoms such as:

• Insomnia, nightmares, or flashbacks
• Feeling very tired or having a lack of energy
• Scared easily
• Racing heartbeat without exercising
• Muscle tension, aches, and pains

Recovering from traumatic experiences takes time. There is a lot of ongoing support available to help people process and heal from a traumatic event. If the experiences listed above last for more than a couple of weeks or are interfering with your ability to carry out day-to-day tasks, reach out for help. People can develop depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) if they do not treat ongoing symptoms. Trauma treatment is effective and you do not have to suffer alone.