Trauma is a devastating experience that leaves a lasting impact on your life. It creates a wound that affects you emotionally, physically, and mentally, even long after it’s over.
When left untreated, it can cause long-term physical health problems. But most people aren’t aware it can be stored in the body and harm your overall well-being.
Here are signs you have trauma trapped in your body and what to do about it.
Chronic Pain
If you’re experiencing chronic pain that’s not responding to medical treatments, it could be a sign that you have trauma.
It will manifest physically when your body holds onto stress, and you will feel it in your neck, back, shoulders, or other parts of the body.
Anxiety or Panic Attacks
With trauma, certain events can trigger anxiety or panic attacks. You may feel physically threatened, leading to symptoms like a racing heartbeat, sweating, or shaking.
Insomnia or Sleep Disorders
It causes sleep disturbances, resulting in insomnia or restlessness. If you have trouble falling asleep or experience nightmares, it’s a sign that your body is holding onto trauma that needs to be processed.
Feeling Disconnected from Your Body
You may feel numb or that you’re watching yourself from the outside. This out-of-body experience is known as dissociation and makes it difficult to connect with others.
People disconnect from their bodies when they don’t feel safe.
Chronic Fatigue
If you always feel tired, even after getting enough sleep, it’s a sign that you’re overwhelmed and stressed.
The emotional impact is draining and leads to chronic fatigue.
Ask For Help
Trauma can affect all areas of life. It creates hypervigilance, so your body never has a chance to rest. Knowing how to identify it is essential to healing.
Seeking professional help from a licensed therapist will facilitate a safe environment for you to process it.
Don’t suffer in silence. It’s okay not to be okay — remember that asking for help is a sign of strength.
