We can all go through life not fully grasping or understanding that our experiences can shape, mould and affect us and our lives in many different ways.
Emotional Hurt or Trauma can happen to anyone at any time and can affect people in mentally, physically and emotionally. Maybe when we lose someone or something we love, or we experience a stressful event that impacts our sense of security.
Experiences such as this can cause us to begin to view our environment and those around us as unsafe, making it very difficult for us to function in day to life, form healthy relationships and boundaries and live the full abundant life that we deserve
Even if a certain event doesn’t cause us any physical harm a permanent state of fear or anxiety can be a sign that we are traumatized.
Common Causes of Emotional Trauma
Divorce or Relationship Breakup
Loss of Health
Losing a Job
Loss of Financial Stability
Miscarriage
Retirement
Death of a pet
Loss of a Cherished Dream
A Loved one’s Serious Illness
Loss of a Friendship
Selling the Family Home
Loss of Safety
Abuse and Abandonment
Violence of any Sort
When we experience emotional hurts, we can at times begin to feel numb, disconnected and lose our trust in others. It can take a lot of time for this pain to go away and for us to feel safe and trust again. If the trauma we have experienced is psychological, we may suffer from troubling memories, anxiety and emotions we find difficult to process
Here are Some of the most Common Emotional Responses to Trauma
Increased arousal and sensory processing
Post-traumatic stress disorder
Avoidance of social settings, friends, loved ones
Feelings of anger or irritability, reactiveness
Sense of guilt and shame
Grief, depression and anxiety
Self-image and views of the world become more cynical
Sexual relationships suffer
Drug and alcohol abuse
The emotional responses listed above can make us feel as though we are going crazy or “losing it”. Have you ever noticed that, following a traumatic event, your physical health begins to show symptoms?
Whether the trauma caused direct physical harm or the heaviness of pain and negative emotion wore you down, both circumstances are accompanied by deep emotional pain which can make you ill. Insomnia, nightmares, chronic fatigue, difficulty concentrating, panic attacks, feeling on edge, agitation, muscle tension and a rapid heartbeat are all physical symptoms of emotional stress
Untreated emotional trauma also has serious side effects
If unaddressed and left untreated, emotional trauma can result in;
• Self-destructive and impulsive behaviours
• Uncontrollable reactive thoughts
• Feelings of shame, guilt, hopelessness, or despair
• Loss of former belief systems
• Compulsive behavioural problems
• Substance use challenges
• Sexual problems
• Inability to maintain close relationships or maintain appropriate friendships
• Hostility and argumentativeness
• Introversion
• Feelings of being threatened
Many times, we are told to focus on ourselves— but that can be much easier said than done. When it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders, it is challenging to even find the strength to lift your leg, and begin putting one foot in front of the other
In fact, finding the strength to heal from emotional trauma can be utterly exhausting and debilitating at times— however, it is one of the most important things you can do for your well-being and spiritual health
Get the right support and be kind to yourself, you are on a journey and with all journeys, there are hills and valleys. We here at Life Essence understand that, and are ready to support you in your journey to healing and fullness
Rest, Recovery & Restoration 