According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition, text revision (DSM-5-TR), trauma is defined as an emotional or physical response to an event that can cause lasting adverse effects on mental and physical well-being. The DSM-5-TR defines a traumatic event as exposure to actual or threatened: death, serious injury, and sexual violence.
The DSM, sadly, is limited. Emotional trauma is the result of overwhelming stressful events that question your sense of security, making you feel helpless in a dangerous world.
Emotional Trauma and Psychological Trauma: The difference
Something that upsets and profoundly impacts your emotions is called emotional trauma, and it frequently results from traumatic events like abuse, grief, or betrayal. It changes a person's perception and processing of emotions and shows up as emotional discomfort, dread, or worry. On the other side, psychological trauma affects your behaviour and cognitive processes, leaving a permanent mark on your mind. It may result in changed belief systems, intrusive thoughts, or persistent stress reactions.
When upsetting emotions go unresolved, emotional trauma can develop into psychological trauma, resulting in permanent brain alterations that impact a person's mental health. Unresolved emotional discomfort can change brain circuits, causing psychological trauma to become more firmly embedded, according to empirical research.
In any case, emotional trauma is a subtype of psychological trauma; not all psychological trauma is emotional, but all emotional trauma is psychological trauma. These are frequently called "Big T" traumas, such as surviving a vehicle crash, going through a natural disaster, or being attacked. However, trauma may also be brought on by persistent stresses or recurring unpleasant events, such as receiving continual criticism, being bullied at work, or having to deal with unstable finances. "Little t" traumas are what these are called. Trauma may have a lasting effect on a person's life, regardless of whether it comes as a rapid, smashing wave or gradually erodes like a river chiselling away at the rock, particularly if it is left untreated or unprocessed.
Signs and Symptoms of Emotional Trauma in Adults
A person's quality of life can be greatly impacted by unprocessed emotional trauma, which frequently results in what are known as "triggers." For example, someone who has gone through emotional trauma could feel more afraid or suspicious in specific social settings, which could cause them to avoid or isolate themselves. This may contribute to persistent worry or a sense of powerlessness by making it harder to connect with people or make you feel tense all the time. Addressing emotional trauma symptoms in adults before they worsen requires an understanding of the symptoms.
1. Cognitive Signs
Adults who have experienced emotional trauma in early life can often feel like they are living in a fog. Significant cognitive disturbances brought on by emotional trauma may include disorientation, abrupt mood swings, or trouble recalling traumatic experiences. People may have trouble logically processing their ideas and may suffer from increased cognitive dissonance, which is a condition in which emotions and concepts clash and impair mental clarity and decision-making. And, as the mind attempts to adapt to the emotional turmoil brought on by trauma, mood swings and irritation may become more common.
Maladaptive defence mechanisms are frequently developed as a result of early trauma. In an otherwise chaotic and gloomy environment, these coping mechanisms give a child a feeling of security and direction. These processes may become profoundly embedded in the child as they grow up, becoming a crucial component of who they are. Since letting them go would mean destroying their framework for making sense of life and their view of reality, it seems natural that they may be reluctant to alter their defences even as adults. It is sometimes easier to stay in old patterns of suffering and illusion rather than face the uncertainty that comes with healing and progress because facing the unknown can be frightening.
2. Physical Manifestations
Numerous scientific studies and an increasing amount of data suggest that long-term exposure to stress hormones encourages malignancy in the body's cells and may even set off autoimmune diseases. Although it's not particularly consoling, it's crucial to understand how emotional trauma affects the body.
Emotional trauma can have wide-ranging and upsetting physical symptoms, which frequently present as chronic pain, tense muscles, and digestive problems. Even when going about their daily lives, some people have spontaneous muscular releases or spasms, as if their body are hanging onto stress that hasn't been released. This can be felt in the face, arms, neck, or hips, among other places. Others describe having erratic energy levels, they may feel strong and capable one day and totally worn out the next. Trauma-related physical symptoms might also include numbness in places like the lower back, jaw pain, or a tight chest. Tension can occasionally increase in tandem with emotions of panic, anxiety, or hopelessness, and these sensations frequently seem linked to the body's emotional condition.
3. Psychological Concerns
Beyond PTSD, trauma can cause a variety of mental health problems. Emotional trauma can exacerbate previous mental health disorders or frequently cause feelings of anxiety or despair. Although many people mistakenly believe that trauma is the only result of PTSD, this is not the case. More than 75% of people with PTSD also have co-occurring mental health conditions such as significant depression or severe anxiety, according to research. Feelings of ongoing fear, despair, or tenseness brought on by emotional trauma might make it challenging to find stability in day-to-day activities.
4. Behavioural Changes
Emotional trauma causes complicated behavioural changes that are frequently confused with other mental health issues. For example, the increased fight-or-flight response linked to trauma may be mistaken for hyperactivity or restlessness, but it is actually the brain's hypervigilance, which is always looking for potential danger. This hyperawareness can also show up as trouble focussing or seeming inattentive, but this isn't because the individual isn't paying attention; rather, it's because their mind is attempting to put safety first. As the brain becomes enmeshed in memories of prior trauma, triggers and flashbacks can also increase apparent distractibility. Furthermore, it's possible that childhood neglect or abuse prevented people with trauma from learning critical life skills like setting priorities, organising, or interacting with others. This differs from someone born with ADHD, a neurodevelopmental condition.
5. Relationship Issues
Relationships are among the areas where emotional trauma has the most effects. People may find it difficult to trust people, especially in close relationships, and they may become extremely sensitive to betrayals or threats. Relationship problems might result from a fear of rejection or abandonment, which can induce emotional withdrawal or a sense of alienation. In some situations, people may also form harmful habits, such as continuing to remain in toxic relationships because they lack confidence in themselves or are afraid of being alone.
Out of anxiety or emotional tiredness, people may isolate themselves, retreat from social circles, or struggle to interact with friends or relatives. It might be more difficult to break the pattern of avoidance and isolation when people repeatedly avoid particular circumstances, which can worsen feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and despair.
6. Other Symptoms
Feelings of numbness, emotional shutdown, or disassociation from reality are further signs of emotional trauma. People may have feelings of emotional detachment or as though they are viewing life from afar, like an out-of-body experience. Concentration problems might arise, resulting in problems with productivity or focus. It is normal to experience ongoing grief, remorse, self-blame, and shame particularly if the person feels accountable for the incident. In order to dull the emotional anguish and avoid confronting the trauma, some people may resort to harmful coping strategies like drugs or alcohol.
Seeking help
Receiving the proper assistance is crucial when emotional trauma begins to interfere with day-to-day functioning. It's crucial to think about getting treatment if you're struggling with intrusive memories, and nightmares, or feel like you're avoiding reminders of past suffering all the time. It makes sense that professional intervention may be helpful when you experience symptoms like trouble controlling your emotions, poor relationships with others, or changes in your daily routine.
There is help, readily available. Healo from Infiheal provides easily available mental health materials to aid in your recovery. Take back control of your health by providing you with tools for emotional management and individualised treatment sessions.
Treatment options
There are several therapy options that can help with emotional trauma. Here’s a quick rundown:
- 1. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): This therapy helps you identify and change negative thought patterns and behaviours.
- 2. Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): This involves processing traumatic memories through guided eye movements, helping to reduce their emotional impact.
- 3. Somatic Experiencing: Focuses on body awareness and releasing physical tension related to trauma.
- 4. Trauma-Focused Therapy: Specifically designed to address trauma, often combining different therapeutic approaches.
- 5. Mindfulness-Based Therapies: Incorporate mindfulness practices to help you stay present and manage emotional responses.
Treating emotional trauma is crucial because it impacts your thoughts, feelings, and interactions with the outside world. If trauma is not treated, it can result in chronic tension, anxiety, and even physical health problems. You may improve your emotional resilience, develop better relationships, and obtain a deeper understanding of yourself by admitting and resolving your trauma.
In addition to allowing you to live more completely in the present without being constrained by the past, trauma healing may also empower you. It's like allowing yourself to develop and prosper, so don't put off taking care of yourself.
