1054-Demystifying Trauma Responses 12 Signs of PTSD You May Not Know

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Trauma vs. Traumatic Injury

Trauma is an event that causes a sense of helplessness and horror. Traumatic injury refers to the physical, emotional, cognitive, and interpersonal effects of trauma.
Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD or complex PTSD (CPTSD).

Symptoms Often Misdiagnosed

Conditions like ADHD, anxiety, and addiction are often misdiagnosed when they are actually symptoms of unresolved trauma.
Understanding the root cause of these conditions helps tailor treatment to address trauma.

Trauma in Childhood vs. Adulthood

Childhood trauma, especially in chaotic or abusive households, can have lasting effects on attachment styles and emotional regulation in adulthood.
Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) such as abuse, neglect, and abandonment significantly impact mental health.

Hypervigilance and Executive Dysfunction

Trauma survivors are often hypervigilant, constantly scanning for threats, which can impair their ability to concentrate and problem-solve.
This can mimic symptoms of ADHD, making it difficult to diagnose correctly.

Emotional Dysregulation and Anger

Trauma often leads to emotional dysregulation, where individuals respond with exaggerated emotions or anger to minor stressors.
This can be a learned response from childhood, where the fight-or-flight mechanism is over-activated.

Cognitive and Sensory Effects

Trauma survivors may experience sensory hypersensitivity, such as being overly alert to sounds, smells, and visual triggers that remind them of past trauma.
They may also struggle with recognizing and labeling emotions, making emotional regulation even more challenging.

Attachment Trauma and Relationship Issues

Trauma, especially attachment trauma, can lead to avoidance or anxiety in relationships.
Some survivors may withdraw from social situations, while others may be hypersensitive to rejection and constantly seek validation.

Impact on Physical Health

Trauma affects the body's stress response system (HPA axis), leading to issues like inflammation, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune disorders.
Chronic stress also impairs the immune system, increasing the risk of various health problems like diabetes and heart disease.

Sleep Problems

Trauma disrupts circadian rhythms, leading to insomnia or sleep disorders like sleep apnea.
These sleep problems exacerbate mental health conditions, making recovery from trauma even more difficult.

Emotional Numbing and Depression

Emotional numbing, apathy, and depression are common in trauma survivors, often making it difficult for them to experience joy or motivation.
Chronic stress impairs the brain's ability to respond to pleasure and excitement, contributing to long-term mental health issues.

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