After experiencing a traumatic event, it can be difficult to cope with everyday life. A person may begin to think, feel, and behave differently than they used to. Some people have experienced trauma early in life and it can be hard to compare their lives to before the trauma happened. Regardless of how long ago the trauma occurred, these are a list of common experiences those who have experienced trauma have:

Frequent negative emotions, and struggling to experience positive emotions. Common emotions might include: guilt, shame, anxiety, anger, depression
Certain things might remind you of the trauma and may trigger negative thoughts and emotions
Having intrusive thoughts about the trauma such as flashbacks and nightmares. Sometimes, these flashbacks and nightmares can feel very vivid and that the trauma is happening all over again
Becoming easily startled and jumpy
Difficulty concentrating
Feeling out of control or that you are going crazy
Trouble sleeping
Avoiding people, places and things that remind you of the trauma. This could include avoiding thoughts and feelings about the trauma
Forgetting some parts of the trauma
Emotional numbness
Feeling detached from yourself or your surroundings
Believing that the world or other people are dangerous
Having a negative view of self or other people
Crying spells
Thoughts of harming yourself or thoughts of suicide
Feeling angry and aggressive/being snappy with others
Self-destructive behavior, such as reckless driving, drug and alcohol abuse, or other risky behaviors
Relationship difficulties, and struggling to feel emotionally and sexually intimate with others
Loss of interest in sex and physical affection

If you are experiencing some of these symptoms after experiencing a traumatic event, you are not alone. These are common symptoms that many people experience. Fortunately, therapy can help to alleviate these symptoms. There are several effective treatments for trauma-related mental health issues, some of them including Eye-Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), Prolonged Exposure, Cognitive Processing Therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and others.

If you are interested in learning more about treatment options, there are several counselors at Charmed Counseling who may be able to assist you. Taylor Hocking, LMFTA, SUDP is trained in Prolonged Exposure and EMDR. Contact 509-768-6852 for a free consultation.

References
Foa, E. B., Hembree, E. A., Olasov Rothbaum, B., & Rach, S. A. M. (2019). Prolonged exposure therapy for ptsd (2nd ed.). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.