When many people think of trauma, some specific people and experiences come to mind. Combat veterans and survivors of natural disasters, accidents or sexual assault, for example. These are all real traumas that can impact a person’s physical, emotional and mental health. But there’s another type of trauma that’s gaining more recognition in clinical studies. You may know it as emotional trauma or complex PTSD. People can develop emotional trauma when their physical or emotional safety is threatened over a long period of time.

Even the feeling of being unsafe — especially in childhood — can result in trauma symptoms later on. This article outlines 10 symptoms of emotional trauma and some treatments that can provide relief.

10 symptoms of emotional trauma

Emotional trauma affects the mind and the body. Finding a comprehensive and holistic treatment program is key for long-term, sustained healing. Survivors have the best treatment outcomes when they heal on each of these levels. 

The following are some emotional, physiological, cognitive, behavioral and relational effects of emotional trauma.

Emotional symptoms

Many people with emotional trauma were hurt by parents, caregivers or loved ones. The emotional pain of betrayal and abandonment can manifest in other situations. Leading edge trauma therapies and medication take time to heal these wounds. But with treatment, survivors of emotional trauma can live full and satisfying lives.

The following emotional symptoms can be symptoms of complex trauma:

• Intense emotional reactions — Everyday interactions can trigger “emotional flashbacks” that take time to recover from. These can lead to self-isolation and depression symptoms if they’re not addressed. Mindfulness practices, distress tolerance and emotional regulation are all skills that can be learned.
• Negative or extreme moods — Unmet emotional needs and abusive relationships can result in feelings of low self-worth and negativity. Developing self-compassion is an important part of an emotional trauma survivor’s healing process. They’ll also need to work through the core beliefs underlying their negative outlook with a licensed clinician.
• Depression symptoms — Many people with complex PTSD also meet the criteria for major depressive disorder (MDD). They may have low energy, social withdrawal, and changes in sleeping patterns or appetite. These are all depression symptoms that can show up in people with emotional trauma.

Physiological symptoms

Long periods of stress and anxiety affect the entire body. Getting effective treatment for emotional trauma makes a big difference in a survivor’s health and wellness.

The following symptoms can negatively impact a trauma survivor’s health and their quality of life:

• Nervous system dysregulation — You’ve probably heard of the F’s of trauma responses: fight, flight, freeze and fawn. These all represent different types of nervous system dysregulation. Emotional trauma survivors go into both “activated” and “shutdown” states more often than others. However, with treatment, they can learn to regulate these states with intention.
• Unexplained physical symptoms — Many people with emotional trauma also develop physical symptoms from prolonged trauma. Indigestion, chronic pain and inflammation are all symptoms that can heal with proper treatment. 
• Co-occurring mental health concerns — Many people with complex PTSD have other mental health conditions. Depression, anxiety conditions and “classic” PTSD can all coincide with emotional trauma.

Cognitive symptoms

• Flashbacks and intrusive memories — Nightmares, intrusive thoughts and troubling memories can result from emotional trauma. Reexperiencing and reprocessing these memories with control and safety is a big part of trauma treatment. Clients also build up emotional resilience and learn coping strategies.
• Difficulty thinking or functioning — A trauma survivor’s brain uses a lot of energy processing potential threats and distress. They may have a lower capacity for thinking and daily functions like planning meals.

Behavioral and relational symptoms

• Avoidance behaviors — Encountering people, places or activities that trigger trauma responses can be exhausting. At first, survivors develop coping behaviors aimed at lessening their pain or minimizing threats. This can include “numbing” or dissociating to avoid one’s own thoughts.
• Relationship and trust issues — Negative life experiences cause many trauma survivors to develop unhealthy attachment styles. Having codependent or hyperindependent relationship patterns can reinforce pain and suffering. A licensed clinician can help you identify these patterns and challenge negative beliefs so you can develop healthy relationships.

Emotional trauma survivors have options for deep healing that lasts

In the right treatment environment, you can start to see your emotional trauma for what it is. You can develop a positive relationship with yourself and the confidence to start enjoying life. Many people don’t know that there are a few levels of care between outpatient therapy and inpatient treatment at a hospital. At Lightfully Behavioral Health, our programs combine leading edge trauma treatments with skill development and group therapies. You can start at a high level of treatment and then taper down so you feel supported as you ease back into your routines.

We offer the following treatment options for people with emotional trauma:

• An Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) balances hours of mental health treatment with a few days of your usual routine each week. Clients can apply what they’re working on in treatment to their lives. We also offer a virtual IOP.
• A Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP) is a robust Day Treatment Program that provides five full days of support per week.
• Residential Treatment takes place in a beautifully furnished home. Clients receive overnight nursing support.

Are you ready to find the treatment environment that can help you thrive? Talk with an Admissions Counselor and schedule an assessment to get started.