Trauma

For some, it conjures up visions of accidents, assault, war, or death. For others, they are reminded of events that happened so long ago but continue to hurt. Maybe when you were little you were exposed to intense fighting, or one of your caregivers was scary, absent, or sometimes both. Maybe your labor and delivery experience went completely sideways, and though you and your baby are now “fine”, you can’t stop thinking about what should have been. Maybe you’re living everyday with reminders of events, people, places that wounded or scared you.

This is all trauma. It can be a one time thing, or it can be a compilation of lots of things. Here’s what to look out for in case you think you may have gone through a traumatic event, or events:

• Nightmares

• Having difficulty sleeping

• Being reminded of what happened by seemingly innocuous things

• Having overly angry, sad, or anxious reactions that seem to come out of nowhere

• Going through the motions of everyday life

• Feeling disconnected from yourself

• Emotionally “numb”

If you are having any of these difficulties, it would be a good idea to reach out for professional support. Perhaps what you’re feeling isn’t listed above, but you’re still wondering if it’s trauma—also reach out.