Trauma is a life-altering experience that leaves deep emotional and psychological imprints. While some people may process and move through trauma without lingering effects, others may develop post-traumatic stress (PTS), a condition that can disrupt daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. Understanding whether you’re experiencing post-traumatic stress is the first step toward healing, but recognizing the signs can often be challenging.
In this blog, we’ll help you self-assess for post-traumatic stress by outlining common symptoms and providing a story of someone who worked with a therapist to identify and process their trauma.
How to Self-Assess for Post-Traumatic Stress: Recognizing the Signs and Seeking Support
Trauma can manifest in different ways for different people, but there are some common symptoms that might indicate you’re dealing with post-traumatic stress. Below is a list of signs to look for when self-assessing. If you identify with several of these symptoms, it may be time to reach out to a professional for help.
Common Symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress
- Intrusive Memories or Flashbacks
People with post-traumatic stress often experience recurring, unwanted memories of the traumatic event. These memories can be vivid and may feel like the event is happening all over again. You may also experience nightmares or flashbacks that take you back to the moment of trauma, causing intense distress.- Here is a great video to help understand why our brain stores trauma memories differently than “normal” memories.
- Avoidance
A common coping mechanism for those with post-traumatic stress is avoidance. This might mean avoiding certain people, places, or situations that remind you of the trauma. You might also avoid talking or thinking about the event altogether. Avoidance can provide temporary relief, but it often prolongs the healing process.- Avoidance might make things worse for your trauma experience.
- Hypervigilance or Being Easily Startled
If you find yourself constantly on edge, jumpy, or easily startled, this could be a sign of post-traumatic stress. Hypervigilance, where you are always on high alert for danger, is a common response to trauma. It’s as if your body is stuck in “fight or flight” mode, always prepared for the worst.- Learn more about Hypervigilance here
- Emotional Numbness or Detachment
Some individuals with post-traumatic stress feel emotionally disconnected from their surroundings or from the people they love. You may have difficulty experiencing joy, love, or connection, and instead feel numb or detached. This emotional withdrawal is a protective mechanism that can make relationships and social situations feel difficult or unfulfilling. - Negative Changes in Mood and Thinking
People with post-traumatic stress may struggle with feelings of guilt, shame, or hopelessness. You might have negative thoughts about yourself, others, or the world at large, and you may find it hard to trust people or feel safe. There can also be difficulty concentrating or focusing on daily tasks.- Great info about shame and trauma
- Physical Symptoms
Post-traumatic stress can take a toll on your body as well as your mind. Many people experience headaches, fatigue, gastrointestinal problems, and chronic pain. Sleep disturbances, such as insomnia, are also common, making it harder to recharge emotionally.- Trauma and gut disorders
- Irritability or Aggressive Behavior
Trauma can cause irritability or even outbursts of anger. If you’ve noticed that you are more short-tempered, easily frustrated, or prone to aggressive behavior, it may be a reaction to unresolved trauma. - Reliving the Trauma Through Triggers
Certain sights, sounds, smells, or situations may trigger an emotional or physical response related to the trauma. For example, a specific sound might remind you of the event, causing your heart to race or inducing panic. These triggers can sometimes come out of nowhere, making everyday life feel unpredictable.- Physical Symptoms of trauma
A Story of Healing: How Therapy Helps Process Trauma
To illustrate how post-traumatic stress can affect someone’s life and how therapy can bring healing, let’s look at a story of one individual’s journey.
Alex’s Story
Alex had always thought of himself as someone who could handle anything life threw his way. He was a successful professional and proud father, but everything changed after a car accident that nearly took his life. While he survived the crash with minor physical injuries, the emotional scars ran much deeper. In the months that followed, Alex found himself avoiding driving altogether, constantly reliving the crash whenever he got behind the wheel. He became jumpy at loud noises, felt irritable around his family, and had frequent nightmares that left him exhausted and emotionally drained.
Alex brushed off these changes, telling himself they were just temporary. But as time went on, his avoidance of driving began to impact his work, and his irritability put a strain on his marriage. He began feeling isolated, too ashamed to admit what was really going on. His once close relationships became strained, and his emotional numbness made it difficult to feel connected to his family and friends.
It wasn’t until his wife gently encouraged him to seek help that Alex finally agreed to talk to a therapist. During his first session, Alex learned that the symptoms he was experiencing—flashbacks, avoidance, hypervigilance, and irritability—were all classic signs of post-traumatic stress. His therapist explained how trauma is stored in the brain and how, without proper processing, it can continue to affect him emotionally and physically.
Through therapy, Alex began working with his therapist to identify specific triggers and better understand his emotional responses. They started with small, manageable steps, gradually reintroducing him to driving and helping him reframe the accident in a way that no longer made him feel helpless. His therapist introduced him to grounding techniques, which helped Alex stay present when he began feeling overwhelmed by memories of the crash. Over time, Alex also began exploring deeper emotions tied to the accident, including guilt and fear, which had been underlying his irritability and emotional numbness.
One of the most transformative parts of Alex’s therapy was the use of EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy. Through this method, Alex was able to reprocess the traumatic memory in a way that made it feel less intense and emotionally charged. After several sessions, the nightmares became less frequent, and Alex found himself more comfortable driving again. His relationships also improved as he learned to communicate better about his emotional needs.
Taking the First Step
If Alex’s story resonates with you, it might be time to consider whether post-traumatic stress could be affecting your life. Self-assessing by identifying symptoms is important, but remember that you don’t have to face it alone. Working with a trauma-informed therapist can help you unpack the emotions and experiences you may be carrying, offering relief and, ultimately, healing.
Trauma doesn’t have to define your life. Healing is possible, and the first step is recognizing the signs and being brave enough to ask for help.
At The Pursuit, a group of experienced therapists have come together to offer best-in-class counseling services. We prioritize clinical theory, non-judgmental approaches, and effective interventions, treatment plans, and coping skills. We have therapists who specialize in different areas and we strive to find the best match for your unique needs. Are you ready to take the first step in your Pursuit towards a happier, healthier you? We invite you to book your free 20-minute consultation with one of our skilled therapists. Don’t wait; it’s time to invest in your well-being. Simply Book Now to start your Pursuit toward personal growth and positive change today. Keep reading if you want to learn more about Trauma Counseling.
View comments
+ Leave a comment