Trauma is an emotional response to experiencing a major negative event or events, such as a natural disaster, sexual abuse, combat exposure, or the sudden loss of a loved one (to name a few). In the face of trauma, individuals can develop any number of symptoms that impact their ability to live their lives the way they want.
When someone experiences trauma, they often find themselves left picking up the pieces of the experience and trying to move on. For some, moving on after trauma can feel near impossible because of the presence of symptoms such as the following:
- Denial
- Shock
- Problems concentrating
- Anxiety
- Fear
- Hypervigilance
- Guilt or shame
- Withdrawing from others
- Feelings of helplessness
- Feeling disconnected
In some instances, individuals experiencing the effects of trauma take matters into their own hands and attempt to self-soothe. Unfortunately, this is one of the many reasons why those dealing with untreated trauma turn to drugs and alcohol.