What are Trauma-Related Symptoms?

The word "trauma" comes from the Greek word "τραῦμα" (trauma), which literally means "wound" or "injury. A distinction is made between Big T and Small T trauma. When we talk about trauma we often mean Big T trauma, such as war, persecution, rape, murder, etc.

Small T trauma, on the other hand, is something that almost everyone experiences. It refers to emotional wounds that developed in our childhood and often unconsciously, but persistently, influence our lives. These wounds can result from things done to us, such as strict parenting (as described by Alice Miller), but they can also stem from unmet needs. For example, it could involve situations where babies are left to cry in order to learn to sleep through the night.

Even if you had a good childhood, have no conscious traumatic experiences, or do not engage in self-harming behaviors, trauma symptoms can still impact your overall well-being and mental health. Often, trauma is subtle, silent, and buried beneath layers of shame and normalization, making us believe that our childhood wounds or emotional injuries were "not a big deal." Traditional coaching methods often lead people to believe that the symptoms they experience are simply a mindset problem, when in reality, this is often not the case.

Trapped in Survival Strategies: Fight, Flight, Freeze

Trauma symptoms often manifest in daily life as an increased stress response in various situations and contexts. Many people experience a state of chronic hyperarousal, characterized by restlessness and an internal sense of urgency, which can lead to sleep disturbances, difficulty concentrating at work, and increased irritability in personal relationships.

Additionally, certain people or situations may trigger us emotionally, causing overwhelming and distressing feelings or behaviors. In such moments, we often feel overwhelmed, helpless, and powerless. A trigger is a stimulus in the present that activates unprocessed experiences from the past within a person’s psyche.