Are these symptoms something you experience?
Trauma is experienced differently by all, however there are commonalities on what happens after a traumatic event has occurred. Symptoms are like side effects of a trauma, they are changes that you will often notice, however it is not abnormal to dismiss the changes or literally feel like you are losing it. You are not alone in your trauma side effects. Take a look to see if these trauma symptoms sound familiar.
Nightmares
These ‘devilish dreams’ occur and usually feel beyond lifelike. They can often be confused with real life due to the vividness and realness quality to them. These nightmares are often related to the trauma you’ve experienced but oftentimes share themes of the trauma instead of being an exact replica of the traumatic event(s).
Flash backs
These are experienced throughout waking hours and similar to nightmares have a strong “realness” to them. They are vivid memories of what happened and often leave you feeling like you are back in the trauma. You may hear, smell and even physically feel as though it is all occurring again.
Avoidance
This occurs after the traumatic event in which you distance yourself from certain people, places, and experiences. It often happens unconsciously where you start taking a different route home, no longer eat out without facing the door, stop listening to specific songs, and the like. These behaviors may seem weird but they often are a way to protect yourself from getting close to things that have caused damage in the past.
Do you want to know more about trauma? Check here What is Trauma?
Generalized beliefs
Once a traumatic event happens your views of the world and others shift, this is normal and often jarring. These beliefs are harder to notice as they usually show up without being challenged. They can range from “I can’t trust myself to be safe” all the way to “All x types of humans are y.” These beliefs are often harsh and come in as a way of coping and making sense of the trauma though they are usually extreme and harmful long-term.
Emotion overload
Usually emotions like sadness and irritability are the most noticeable but it can also happen with other feelings. Emotion overload is when you experience a high surge of emotion that is outside of your usual. It often happens with irritability as you become more upset, lash out and generally feel out of control of your emotions more quickly and easily than before. After the moment has passed there may be space to look back and see the strangeness of the reaction but it usually feels confusing and like you are not yourself.
Are you ready to start healing trauma?
These trauma symptoms are a common and normal human experience after a traumatic event. It’s normal to feel a little lost and concerned that what you’re experiencing is abnormal, however you are not alone in them. If you are ready to take the next step then book your free discovery call with me. Let me help you uncover the transformative potential of anxiety counseling when guided by a clear plan and the expertise of the right therapist can help you now, tomorrow and well into your future.
I look forward to hearing from you and hope this helps you as you take your own powerful and transformative journey. Per usual take what fits for you, leave what does not, and join me next time. Until then let’s stay social 
