![]() ![]() When I meet with a client who reports that they have few or no memories of their childhood, I am typically concerned there may have been some trauma.Īlthough this is not always the case, memory loss may be the result of a client dissociating during a traumatic event.ĭissociation is a common defense mechanism that occurs when a person “mentally escapes” from a traumatic experience.Īccording to the International Society for the Study of Trauma and Dissociation’s Fact Sheet III, dissociation is a common defense mechanism that occurs when a person “mentally escapes” from a traumatic experience.Īs a result, they may not remember the trauma or any events that occurred during that period of their life.įindings from a 2014 study conducted on rats suggest that-even among individuals without memories of an early childhood trauma-signs of PTSD may still develop during adulthood. However, there are several lesser-known symptoms of trauma that you may not have realized are trauma-related. Most people are familiar with the primary symptoms of trauma portrayed on TV shows and in movies-such as flashbacks, nightmares, fear, anxiety, and anger. Symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include severe anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and avoidant behaviors.Įventually, PTSD can interfere with a person's relationships and ability to function effectively in their day-to-day lives. If trauma goes unresolved, it can result in a more serious condition known as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This results in survivors storing the trauma in their bodies-emotionally and somatically. When the amygdala is triggered during a traumatic event, the part of the brain that houses verbal memory is shut down. These traumatic memories are stored in the amygdala, aka the brain's fire alarm. ![]() Janina Fisher, Ph.D., suggests trauma is remembered through sensory elements, such as emotions and sensations in the body, as well as heart rate increases and changes in breathing. In Transforming the Living Legacy of Trauma: A Workbook for Survivors and Therapists, Dr. Trauma can be caused by experiencing or witnessing an event that threatens a person physically or emotionally. Trauma symptoms can result from a sudden extraordinarily stressful one-time experience or a cumulative series of ongoing stressful experiences over a period of time. Yes, there is something called "COVID trauma" and "pandemic PTSD" that mass amounts of Americans have experienced. These events can include childhood abuse and neglect, physical assault, sexual assault, and living during a war or a global health pandemic such as COVID-19. Simply put, trauma can be caused by experiencing or witnessing an event that threatens a person physically or emotionally. Perhaps it might be helpful to mention some of the lesser known signs of trauma as well. If you’re curious about trauma, I’m hopeful we can shed some light on the subject. ![]() With more and more Americans expressing interest in finding out more about trauma, this led me to wonder whether trauma and its symptoms are commonly understood. Though largely flat in the years between 2004-2014 (with one noticeable spike during the housing and financial crisis of 2008-2009), Americans’ online searches for information about trauma have been increasing significantly since 2015, according to Google Trends data. That’s more than 223 million people America alone.ĭiscussions about trauma have also increased in recent years-with my private practice mental health clients, as well as in the news, on social media, and among my friends.Īmericans’ Google searches for information on trauma have increased significantly since 2015. adults have experienced trauma at least once in their lives. In fact, according to the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, 70% of U.S. Once thought to be a rare event, millions of people experience trauma every year. ![]()
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