Nearly everyone will experience multiple traumatic events in their life, but not everyone will develop symptoms that negatively impact their day-to-day functioning. This article will help you identify common trauma symptoms and therapy options.

[Looking for a psychologist in Milton, Ontario to treat trauma symptoms? Contact Suntree Wellness to learn how we provide evidence-based, judgment-free therapy in a supportive environment.]

What Is Trauma?

In therapy, we often separate “Big T” Trauma and “little t” trauma. “Big T” Trauma refers to situations involving serious illness, injury, or danger. Examples include witnessing someone die, being in a serious car accident, experiencing physical or sexual abuse, surviving a natural disaster, or living through war.

On the other hand, “little t” trauma describes extremely stressful situations without physical danger. Examples include parental divorce, chronic invalidation, emotional abuse, poverty, or frequent moves during childhood.

Both types of experiences can significantly impact individuals. However, a diagnosis of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) requires exposure to events involving actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. That said, people can experience PTSD-like symptoms even after “little t” trauma.

Recognizing trauma symptoms is the first step to seeking help or guiding others toward support. Below are common signs to watch for.

Emotional and Psychological Symptoms

• Intrusive Thoughts and Memories: Recurring, unwanted memories of the traumatic event. Flashbacks are an extreme form of this, where individuals feel like they are reliving the event.
• Feeling Detached: Trauma can make individuals feel emotionally numb or disconnected from the world around them, making it hard to connect with others or find joy.
• Irritability and Mood Swings: Heightened irritability or sudden emotional changes can stem from unresolved trauma.
• Depression and Anxiety: Hopelessness, sadness, or loss of interest in enjoyable activities are often linked to untreated trauma. Suicidal thoughts may occur in extreme cases and are an immediate safety concern (please call 911 or your local hospital if you feel you are at risk of hurting yourself).
• Difficulty Concentrating: Trauma symptoms can impair focus, decision-making, and memory.
• Negative Self-Concept: Guilt, shame, or self-blame are common, leading survivors to feel unworthy or unlovable.
• Negative Worldview: Survivors often struggle to trust others and may view the world as inherently dangerous.
• Dissociation: Feeling disconnected from reality or as though the world isn’t real.
• Unstable Personal Identity: Chronic trauma can disrupt one’s sense of self, causing one’s identity to feel unstable.

Physical Symptoms

• Sleep Disturbances: Trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or experiencing nightmares is common.
• Fatigue: Chronic tiredness may result from prolonged stress responses.
• Physical Aches and Pains: Trauma can cause physical symptoms like headaches, muscle tension, chronic pain, or stomach issues without a clear medical cause.

Behavioral Symptoms

• Avoidance: Avoiding people, situations, or conversations that trigger traumatic memories is a common coping mechanism.
• Social Withdrawal: Trauma can lead to isolation from friends, family, and social activities.
• Risky Behaviors: Some people may turn to substance use, overeating, self-harm, or other reckless behaviour to cope with emotional pain.
• Sensitivity to Triggers: Survivors often have intense reactions to triggers such as loud noises or specific smells.
• Hypervigilance: A constant state of alertness can make public spaces like grocery stores or malls feel overwhelming.

Therapy Options for Trauma

There are many signs and symptoms of trauma, and evaluation by a mental health professional is recommended if you suspect you are affected. A psychologist will conduct a thorough assessment to clarify diagnoses and recommend treatment.

Fortunately, trauma is treatable through therapy. Most trauma treatments are based on Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) principles. Evidence-based interventions include:

• Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT)
• Prolonged Exposure (PE)
• Exposure-Based CBT
• Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT) for children and teens
• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT)
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

Trauma therapy aims to help individuals confront and process trauma-related reminders. This process, while initially challenging, promotes healing—much like cleaning a wound is initially painful, but allows long-term recovery.

Therapy also teaches relaxation techniques to calm the overactive nervous system and addresses unhealthy coping strategies (e.g., substance use or isolation). Additionally, therapists work with clients to challenge unhelpful thoughts and replace them with balanced perspectives.

Final Thoughts

Trauma can affect anyone, regardless of age or background. Understanding its symptoms makes it easier to identify when therapy may be beneficial. Seeking help is a sign of strength and an important step toward healing. You are not alone.

If you are looking for a psychologist in Milton, Oakville, Georgetown or beyond, contact Suntree Wellness to learn how we provide Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy (CBT) for trauma, depression, anxiety, substance use, and other concerns. You must be physically in Ontario to receive our services.

Call us at ‪(905) 288-7169‬ or email us at info@suntreewellness.com to schedule a free 15-minute consultation or book an appointment.