Your original perceptions and filter of your world may have been altered through an overwhelming experience. In the absence of full processing of the experience you continue to have mental and physical manifestations of unresolved stress. Some of these symptoms begin shortly after the trauma; some develop later. Reactions you might have are:
Emotional Reactions:
_ You feel shame and not worthy
_ You overreact or are overemotional
_ You feel great sadness or anxiety on a regular basis
_ You have a very strong inner critic
_ You are afraid to be abandoned and feel lonely
_ You avoid certain situations
_ You can not feel emotions and are often numb
_ You lack confidence and self esteem
_ You have mood swings
Physical Symptoms:
_ Your body may stay in alert and stress mode until it knows it is safe (Hyperarousal)
_ You have a hard time relaxing and do not know how to settle down (Constriction)
_ You have difficulty sleeping and have nightmares
_ You have body image and weight problems
_ Your memory is not fully functioning
_ You feel numb and cannot feel your body (dissociation)
_ You are suffering from chronic pain
_ Skin disorders
_ Constipation
Relationship Patterns:
_ You may have developed specific patterns that you keep repeating
_ You try to control your partner, friends and family
_ You have a hard time saying no, setting limits or boundaries
_ Relationships can be difficult for you
_ You feel disconnected and detached
If you recognize yourself in these examples, you might have an unresolved traumatic experience.
Trauma symptoms can be expressed days, months, or even years after the traumatic event. Symptoms may suddenly arrive through a trigger in the environment and might appear as emotional, cognitive, or physical reactions. Sometimes the mind is not able to make sense of the internal signals, especially when the person has experienced an overwhelming event or stressful situation. The mind might continue to communicate to the nervous system the necessity to prepare to flee, fight, or freeze. Adrenaline is disbursed and the cycle might perpetually continue until the body-mind perceives that it is safe and recognizes it can rest.
If not addressed these can turn into long-term symptoms such as:
• Panic attack
• Avoidance behavior
• Addictions
• Risk taking behavior
• Constant dissociation
• Memory loss
• Midlife crisis and fear of dying
• Self-harming behavior
• Obsessive or lack of sexual feelings
• Feeling disconnected
my sister suffers from panic attack and the doctor prescribed prozac on her:’~
I have every symptom. I know I have unresolved traumas from my life. i also have some of the long term effects and im only 25. what do i do for help? i have no insurance and not sure where to turn? i dont even know if i need counseling or if i need a psychiatrist.
Hello,
The good news is that you already made the first two steps towards change. One is to recognize your symptoms and the other is wanting to do something about it.
A psychiatrist generally prescribes psychotropic medication but sometimes offers psychotherapy as well. You might want to start looking at psychology schools to find a low fee psychotherapist. CIIS and John F. Kennedy are some of the schools here in the Bay Area that have great Counseling Centers where supervised psychology students offer psychotherapy for a minimal fee. There are also other low fee centers that you can google online. Additionally, many therapists take a certain percentage of sliding scale clients as well and you can find out by calling them. However, try to go to someone who specializes in trauma and was trained as a somatic experiencing practitioner (http://www.traumahealing.com) and/or EMDR. Reading a few books as you go through therapy will speed up your healing as well.
Let me know if you have any more questions.
Warmly,
Dr. Susanne Babbel