A Guide to Recognizing and Overcoming Trauma’s Impact

Understanding Trauma

Trauma is an emotional and psychological response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event. This can include things like experiencing violence, surviving an accident, witnessing a disaster, or going through a major loss. For many people, these experiences can lead to feelings of shock, confusion, or helplessness.

In addition, trauma doesn’t always come from a single big event. It can also come from ongoing or repeated situations, like childhood neglect, bullying, or difficult relationships.

When you think of trauma, you might imagine physical injuries, but trauma can also cause invisible wounds that affect our minds, emotions, and behaviors. People react to trauma in different ways—some may feel overwhelmed, while others might feel numb. These reactions are natural, and they are your body and mind’s way of trying to cope.

Understanding what trauma is and how it affects you is the first step toward healing. Not all trauma is the same. Professionals often use terms like "Big-T Trauma" and "Little-t trauma" to explain different levels of distress.

• Big-T Trauma refers to major events that are typically life-threatening or cause intense fear. This includes things like natural disasters, serious accidents, war, or physical assaults. These types of trauma are often what come to mind when people hear the word “trauma.”

• Little-t Trauma, on the other hand, involves smaller, but still distressing experiences. This can include things like a breakup, losing a job, or ongoing stress at work. These situations might not be as immediately intense, but over time, they can deeply impact your mental health and well-being.

It’s important to remember that both types of trauma are valid and can be equally challenging. Little-t traumas, especially if they happen to you repeatedly, can add up over time, leading to stress and emotional difficulty. Recognizing the type of trauma you or a loved one has experienced can help in finding the right support and treatment.

Signs of Trauma

Trauma doesn’t look the same for everyone, but there are common signs that can indicate if someone is struggling with it. These signs may show up in physical, emotional, or behavioral ways.

• Physical Signs: Trauma can cause the body to feel tired, tense, or in pain. Some people experience headaches, stomach aches, or trouble sleeping. Others may have a racing heart or feel “on edge” all the time.

• Emotional Signs: Trauma often brings up strong emotions like fear, anger, or sadness. You may feel numb or disconnected from others, or experience mood swings. It’s common to feel anxious, depressed, or even ashamed about what happened.

• Behavioral Signs: People dealing with trauma may avoid certain places, people, or activities that remind them of the event. They might become more withdrawn, have difficulty focusing, or feel like they’re “stuck” in the past. Some turn to unhealthy coping strategies, like using alcohol or drugs.

If you notice any of these signs, it could be a sign that trauma is affecting you. Even if the trauma happened a long time ago, its effects can linger and impact your quality of life. The good news is that trauma therapy can help you work through these feelings, learn coping strategies, and rebuild a sense of safety and connection.

Healing from Trauma

Healing from trauma takes time, but there are effective treatments that can help you start to feel better. Therapy offers a safe, supportive space to process what happened and work through its effects. Here are some common approaches used to treat trauma:

• Trauma-Focused Therapy: This type of therapy specifically focuses on addressing trauma. Therapists may use techniques to help people process their memories and reduce the emotional impact of their experiences.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): CBT is a popular type of therapy that can help you change negative thought patterns and behaviors related to trauma. By addressing harmful beliefs and learning new ways to cope, many people find CBT helpful in managing trauma symptoms.

• Group Therapy and Support Groups: Being in a group setting with others who understand what you’re going through can be incredibly healing. Group therapy or support groups offer a sense of community and remind people that they’re not alone in their experiences.

• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): EMDR is a specialized therapy that involves guided eye movements to help reprocess traumatic memories. This method has been shown to be effective for many people who have experienced acute trauma.

Seeking help for trauma is a brave step, and there’s no “right” or “wrong” timeline for healing. Some people may feel better after a few sessions of therapy, while others may need more time. Remember, healing is a journey, and each step forward is a step toward reclaiming peace and joy in life.

How We Can Help

Trauma can have lasting effects, but with the right support, it’s possible to heal and move forward. Recognizing the signs of trauma, understanding its types, and exploring therapy options are essential parts of this journey. If you or a loved one is struggling, remember that help is available, and you don’t have to face this alone. Therapy can be the first step toward building a more peaceful and fulfilling life.

Other Therapy Services Available at Catalyss Counseling:

Here at Catalyss Counseling, we want to meet all of your counseling needs in the Denver area. Our supportive therapists provide depression counseling, therapy for caregiver stress, grief and loss therapy, stress management counseling, and more. We also have specialists in trauma and PTSD, women's issues, pregnancy and postpartum depression or anxiety, pregnancy loss and miscarriage, and birth trauma. For therapists, we can also provide clinical supervision! We look forward to connecting with you to help support your journey today.

Author Biography

Sean Carroll is a student intern and a provider for the affordable counseling program at Catalyss Counseling. He works with men, anxious adults, and those seeking improved relationships to become “unstuck” and get to the root of the problem, so you can focus on the things in your life that are meaningful. Follow Catalyss Counseling on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram.