Signs of Trauma: How to Know if Someone You Love Has Experienced a Traumatic Event?

A 2023 University of Texas study of 1000 8–20-year-olds enrolled in the statewide Texas Youth Depression and Suicide Research Network (TX-YDSRN) found that 65.7% of the participants experienced at least 1 traumatic event in their lifetime. People who have experienced trauma often display signs of an adverse event. At SUN Behavioral Health Houston, we help our patients and their loved ones learn the signs of trauma so they can find the right care.

Recognizing the Signs of Trauma

Trauma occurs from exposure to any event that someone viewed as threatening or harmful, either emotionally or physically. Examples of trauma include natural disasters, relationship trauma, forms of violence, car accidents, house fires, or the sudden death of a loved one. There is no right or wrong answer to what events are traumatic or not, as it varies from person to person. It is not the event itself that defines trauma but rather the lasting effects the event has on a person. Typically, a person who has experienced a traumatic event will have a range of different signs that make it challenging to function afterward.

Common Physical Signs of Trauma

Many times, people who have experienced a traumatic event will have physical reactions.. These are often the signs that get people to seek treatment, whether they are aware that those physical signs are from their traumatic experience or not. Typically, these physical symptoms include:

• Fatigue
• Racing heart
• Feeling jumpy
• Sweating
• Digestive concerns
• Headaches

Why do people develop physical ailments or concerns following trauma? This is because emotional distress will manifest as bodily dysfunctions. Often, the person is unaware this is connected to their trauma, and treatment for both the physical condition and the trauma is necessary to start the healing process.

Sleep concerns are also common for individuals who have experienced a traumatic event. This manifests in different forms, such as waking up early, being unable to fall asleep, experiencing nightmares, or restless sleep.

Common Emotional Trauma Signs

The most common symptoms someone will experience following trauma are emotional. People feel various emotions like fear, sadness, shame, guilt, or anger if they have had a traumatic experience. They may have these feelings all at once and might not know how to identify them or why they are experiencing them. It is common to feel they must hide or deny these intense emotional responses. These emotional responses are so intense and scary that they make a person feel they can’t control their response.

On the other hand, it is also possible for someone to have no emotional responses to a traumatic experience. This is especially true in the initial period afterward. Instead of emotions, they might feel numb or lack feelings about the experience they have gone through. When someone is numb to the emotions surrounding an event, it doesn’t mean there aren’t emotions present. Usually, these emotions are suppressed. Because the person’s true feelings about an event are hidden, it can be challenging for loved ones or mental health professionals to know the true impact the experience has had. This is why intensive talk therapy and counseling are a huge help in treating these types of trauma.

Common Cognitive Trauma Signs

Trauma also impacts people's beliefs about the world, themselves, and others. They might interpret a specific situation as harmful because it resembles their traumatic experience in some way. This situation might not seem similar to someone on the outside looking in, but it does to the person.

They may also have intrusive thoughts or memories of the event. These occur suddenly and feel very overwhelming to the individual. Other possible cognitive signs include:

• Having hallucinations or delusions about their trauma
• Seeing the future as hopeless
• Seeing the world or people as unsafe
• Developing mental health conditions like depression or anxiety
• Having triggers and flashbacks

Some people might believe they are different from others and that nobody will fully understand what they went through. They might think that if they share their experiences with others, they will be considered less than others, which can create intense levels of shame and a desire to alienate themselves from those who care about them.

Dissociation is also a common sign of trauma. It occurs when a person becomes disconnected from their memories, emotions, sense of identity, or thoughts. The brain responds this way to protect someone from a particular experience so that they can survive physically and mentally. It occurs when you become overwhelmed by a situation, and your body essentially enters a “freeze response,” connected with your natural fight-or-flight response. Common symptoms of dissociation include feeling disconnected from your body, feeling numb or emotionally detached, lacking a sense of identity, or forgetting certain events.

A 2023 study showed that dissociation may be an important factor in determining the severity of someone’s symptoms associated with trauma. Someone who tries to avoid distressing experiences or having difficulty deciding what memories are accurate or in what order are both types of dissociation that indicate different levels of symptom severity. The study suggests that understanding how dissociation connects to an individual’s trauma symptoms allows professionals to provide appropriate skills to promote healing.

Common Behavioral Trauma Signs

Trauma causes behavioral signs that are an attempt to cope with or respond to distressing aspects of trauma. Common behaviors that someone who has experienced trauma include:

• Substance use disorders
• Self-harm
• Overeating
• Eating too little
• Impulsive behaviors
• Unsafe sexual practices
• Aggression

Some people may try to reenact their trauma as a way to recreate the experience in an attempt to understand or make sense of what happened. Others may reenact them as a way to master their responses to it. Common reenactments include driving recklessly, seeking destructive relationships, walking alone in unsafe areas, or mimicking other elements of the trauma.

Another typical behavior of people who have experienced trauma is something known as trauma dumping. This is when someone overshares their experience, thoughts, and emotions with others in a way that is often one-sided. People receiving this action might feel overwhelmed, helpless, and unprepared to handle the information they are being told.

What to Do if You Notice Signs of Trauma in Yourself or a Loved One?

If you or someone you love is experiencing these signs, they could be a trauma response. You need not know about the specific trauma or have a memory of it to experience trauma response. Those who have experienced trauma are not alone, and those who experienced trauma find healing every day. Remember to show yourself or your loved one compassion, love, and empathy as they navigate their intense thoughts and emotions. 

Learning how to manage responses to trauma takes practice and time. Trauma therapy is one way that many people find healing. During therapy, you will be exposed to a supportive and compassionate team that provides the necessary tools to live healthier and happier lives.

Trauma treatment typically involves a combination of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and medications. Medications on their own will not cure someone of their traumatic experiences. Still, they can address some of the symptoms people experience, like sleep concerns, depression, and anxiety. CBT helps change thought patterns from ones that are unhealthy and terrifying into ones that are helpful and full of peace and healing.

In addition to therapy, lifestyle changes also provide people with relief and provide healthy coping mechanisms for people who have experienced trauma. Maintaining a nutritious diet, exercise, and sleep schedule are vital to coping with your symptoms. This can be challenging, especially if you don’t feel like getting out of bed or cooking a healthy meal. Instead, start as small as you need to and work toward a more balanced lifestyle.

Also, a human connection is crucial for people who have experienced trauma. If someone you know has experienced trauma, don’t wait for them to reach out to you for assistance first. They might not feel like they can do so. Instead, engage with your loved one and actively listen without judgment. Talking about whatever they feel comfortable disclosing can help relieve their emotional pain.

Getting Started With Trauma Therapy in Houston, TX

It is okay to ask for help, even if you feel you should be able to do things independently. The truth of the matter is that nobody should have to handle trauma by themselves. Trauma therapy at SUN Behavioral Health Houston provides expert help and guidance with trauma and trauma response. This enables you to discover the more robust and resilient version of yourself that already exists inside.

SUN Behavioral Health Houston solves unmet needs in the community for both adolescents and adults who have experienced traumatic events. Our no-cost care assessments allow you to meet with our team as they work with you to determine the best treatment plan that will enable you to find healing from your experiences. To learn more, contact us at 713-796-2273.