A traumatic experience is any event that causes a real or perceived threat to emotional, physical, or spiritual safety. Signs of trauma, or indicators, can show up immediately after the experience, or weeks, months, or years later.
- Feeling overwhelmed and emotionally drowning
- Feeling trapped, shut in, or crowded
- Extreme impatience, anger, irritability, rage, or restlessness
- Lost sense of security and safety
- Fears of injury or death of yourself or family members
- Strong emotions associated with the traumatic event
- Feeling distracted, lack of concentration, and disorganized thoughts
- Inability to organize plans or problem-solve
- Emotional numbness, unable to experience emotions (other than anger, fear, frustration)
- Feeling disconnected or detached from loved ones
- Unable to feel love, joy, or positive emotions