Is what I experienced considered "Trauma?"
Trauma happens when a situation or event causes distress exceeding the nervous system’s ability to properly process the intense physical or emotional distress. It can come from a single incident such as an assault or natural disaster, or it can come from a lot of seemingly “smaller” or chronic issues such as emotional neglect, bullying, or a sudden relationship break-up.
Whether or not something is considered “trauma” is in the eye of the beholder. Trauma isn’t determined by the event(s) itself. It is determined by the person who experienced the event. Something that would have been “no big deal” to one person, could cause serious trauma for another person.
Example: A woman needs to have a cesarean section. One woman may feel relieved that the long labor is finally over. Another woman may feel like her body failed her, or that she failed her baby. Both of their experiences are valid.
Common Symptoms of
Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
The effects of trauma impact how we think, feel, and experience the world on a daily basis. PTSD symptoms typically fall into four categories.
Emotional
Depression
Anxiety or Panic attacks
Irritability or mood swings
Feelings of guilt or shame
Feeling numb or disconnected
Cognitive
Intrusive memories
Flashbacks
Nightmares
Ruminating or looping thoughts
Memory gaps
Behavioral
Withdrawal
Self-destructive behaviors
Procrastination
Difficulty Concentrating
Hypervigilance (feeling on edge)
Physical
Fatigue or chronic tiredness
Digestive issues
Rapid heartbeat
Sleep issues
Headaches
Trauma doesn’t just impact your mind. It affects your body as well! Scientific research has shown that unresolved trauma has been shown to increase the likelihood of a person developing:
The Mind-Body Connection
- Obesity
- Heart disease
- Diabetes
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Chronic Illness
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Autoimmune disorders
- Eating Disorders
- Reproductive issues
- Erectile Dysfunction
- Chronic Migraines
From the Counselor
I don’t like to be put in a box, so I don’t put my clients in one. I don’t treat a diagnosis. I treat the human being sitting in front of me. Each person has their own unique story that has led them to my office, and every person’s healing journey is just as unique.
While there are several evidence-based modalities to treat trauma – Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), somatic approaches, or my favorite , EMDR –
to support each client’s personal journey.
Trauma-related Mental Health Diagnosis
Many mental health conditions can be attributed to unresolved trauma, including:
- Major Depressive Disorder
- Generalized Anxiety Disorder
- Panic Disorder
- Social Anxiety
- Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Bipolar Disorder
- Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD)
- Narcissistic Personality Diosrder (NPD)
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Acute Stress Disorder
- Reactive Attachment Disorder (RAD)
- Substance Use Disorder
Clients Say
I struggled for years with fibromyalgia. Doctors attributed it to me being overweight. I knew I was eating my feelings, so I went to therapy. We focused a lot on some of the experiences I had as a child that I thought I’d gotten past. Little by little, I started to reconnect with my body. When my mind wanted to go to the fridge, I learned to check to see if my body agreed, or if I was just avoiding uncomfortable emotions. Even though I wasn’t focusing on losing weight, I did lose 40 lbs. But more importantly, as I connected to where trauma was being held in my body, my muscles started to relax, and it no longer felt like my body was on fire every day.
C. K.
Client, 2025