4 Subtle Signs of Trauma: When You’re Dealing with More Than You Think

When you think about someone experiencing trauma, incidents such as a violent sexual assault, a terrible car accident, or armed conflict might come to mind. But there are other forms of trauma that can negatively affect our lives and hinder our relationships.

Emotional trauma is often overlooked and minimized. We may think we’ve “gotten over” emotional pain that we’ve buried, and not dealt with. A break up, being passed over for a promotion or a negative childhood experience can cause emotional trauma. Below are subtle signs of trauma in yourself. Do you recognize any of these in yourself?

Overwhelm

Anxiety and stress may develop in the aftermath of trauma, causing you to feel overwhelmed in numerous ways. You might feel out of control, like there is too much to do, or that people in your life are taking up too much of your time and attention. If you often feel as though your life has become unmanageable, this could be a sign that you have some unresolved emotional trauma.

Overreacting

Emotional overreactions are a common symptom of trauma. A victim of trauma might redirect their overwhelming emotions towards others, such as family and friends. Because these undealt with emotions are always bubbling under the surface, any incident that brings feelings forward can unleash these pent-up emotions. If you can recall times when you’ve overreacted, and perhaps have even been surprised at your own reactions, this may be a sign of trauma.

Shame

It’s not uncommon for people suffering from emotional trauma to have feelings of shame and self-blame. If you have feelings of shame because of a traumatic event, you may devalue yourself or see yourself as weak. You might feel a stigma from what you endured, and this may prevent you from admitting that you may be traumatized, or prevent you from seeking help.

Daydreaming

Another subtle sign of trauma is “zoning” or “spacing out.” You might feel disconnected from others and have difficulty staying present. Emotional trauma can cause you to slow down internally, numbing your emotions and causing you to feel exhausted. 

Past trauma can cause you to be averse to experiencing painful emotions, so you turn those emotions off. As you withdraw, your relationships with others suffer, causing you further psychological pain.

If these signs seem familiar and you believe you may be suffering from trauma, help is available. A caring professional trained in trauma treatment can help.