Do you believe one of your loved ones suffers from emotional trauma or scarring? It’s important to understand that emotional trauma can affect individuals of all ages, genders, and backgrounds. Emotional scarring can lead to a range of psychological symptoms and conditions, such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and dissociative disorders. The severity and impact of emotional trauma can vary from person to person, depending on the nature of the event, the individual’s support system and the individual’s ability to cope with the aftermath. Let’s take a look at the types of emotional trauma and how you can tell if one of your friends or family members needs help.

What is emotional trauma?

When we talk about emotional trauma, we are talking about a deeply distressing or disturbing experience or event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. Types of emotional trauma include:

• Acute – A single traumatic event. It can include physical or sexual violence, a natural disaster, and other types of stressful events and situations.
• Chronic – Ongoing and repeated exposure to traumatic events. It can include neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, or violence.
• Complex – Repeated exposure to multiple traumatic events over a prolonged period.
• Secondary – Trauma from being exposed to someone else’s traumatic event. Typically occurs in first responders, healthcare workers, and family members of trauma victims.
• Vicarious – Occurs due to third-party exposure to a traumatic event, like reading news articles or watching TV shows about traumatic events.
• Intergenerational – Passed down through the generations of a family. It can include historical traumas or cultural traumas.

common signs to look out for

It can be challenging to determine whether or not someone is displaying signs of emotional damage. This is because the signs and symptoms can vary significantly between individuals. However, there are a few common symptoms you can look for, including:

• Actively avoiding situations or activities that memories of the traumatic event
• Being actively emotionally detached from other people
• Being easily startled
• Being emotionally numb
• Difficulty sleeping or symptoms of insomnia
• Displaying irritability, anger, or rapid mood swings
• Experiencing an Increase in the frequency of nightmares or night terrors
• Experiencing flashbacks or intrusive thoughts related to the traumatic event
• Having difficulty concentrating
• Having problems with making decisions
• Hypervigilance or appearing to be always on guard
• Increases or decreases in appetite
• Increases or decreases in weight
• Intense or prolonged feelings of sadness or anxiety
• Participating in substance abuse or other self-destructive behaviors to self-medicate
• Prolonged or intense feelings of fear when there’s no apparent danger

What are some successful strategies and tips for recognizing emotional trauma in others?

When you’re not sure if someone is displaying the symptoms of emotional trauma, there are some strategies you can employ to help you figure it out, including:

• Listen and Observe – The first step in recognizing emotional damage in others is to listen without judgment or interruption. This requires displaying emotional understanding and empathy. Let the individual share their experiences, thoughts, and feelings at their own pace. By hearing their stories, listening to their vocal inflections, and watching their body language, you may determine if the individual has an emotional trauma that needs professional help.
• Ask Questions – Ask open-ended questions that encourage the person to share more about their experiences and feelings. Avoid leading questions or questions that may be triggering for them.
• Educate Yourself About Trauma Emotional Abuse – Learn about the common signs and symptoms of emotional trauma to better recognize the signs in others.
• Encourage Seeking Professional Help – If you suspect someone is struggling with emotional trauma, encourage them to seek professional help. Provide them with information about counseling or therapy services. If they seem apprehensive or scared about seeking help or being judged, offer to help them find a professional, compassionate therapist and schedule an appointment.

What are the benefits of supporting someone who has experienced emotional trauma?

Living with untreated emotional trauma can negatively impact the individual’s everyday life. They may have trouble going to work or holding a job. They may be unable to connect to those around them emotionally, leading to them being ostracized by their support networks. By supporting an individual with emotional trauma, you are helping them heal, building trust, reducing the stigma surrounding survivors of emotional trauma, and helping them improve their mental health.

What should someone do if they suspect someone is struggling with emotional trauma?

If you suspect someone you know is struggling with emotional trauma, always approach them with care and empathy. Individuals with emotional traumas may not want to talk about their experiences due to the difficulty and potential for reliving the traumatic event all over again. Therefore, it’s always best to display high emotional understanding when discussing sensitive topics.

Next, consider the time and space. You want the individual to feel comfortable and at ease. For this reason, it’s probably best to avoid public or crowded spaces. Once you’ve begun your conversation, always actively listen and avoid judging them or making assumptions.

Lastly, if it seems appropriate, offer help finding resources and support. You could even offer to attend a trauma survivors’ group meeting with them or help them find a therapist.

Getting Help from Sabino Recovery

Suppose you know someone struggling with their mental health due to emotional trauma, betrayal trauma, sexual trauma, or PTSD. In that case, there is caring and compassionate help available at Sabino Recovery. Our counselors and therapists can help your loved one learn how to process their trauma and emotional abuse and move forward in their lives with improved coping skills. We offer individualized treatment programs for individuals who have experienced assault, neglect, abandonment, catastrophic injuries and illnesses, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and even the loss of a relative or close friend.

To start the process of getting help for your trauma, give us a call at 844-286-0516.