How to Identify Trauma: Understanding the Subtle Signs and Asking the Right Questions

Introduction
Life can be a beautiful journey filled with joy and connection, but it can also be challenging, with experiences that may leave us feeling unsettled, fearful, insecure, or disconnected. Sometimes, these challenging experiences can go beyond the usual ups and downs, leaving a deeper mark on our minds and bodies. Especially if we are noticing repetitive symptoms, they keep coming back and seems they dont want to leave us. ( read more here in my article of the spiral of healing )

Trauma is a word that often comes up when we discussing these more profound impacts, but it can be difficult for us as individuals to know if what we’re experiencing indeed comes from a traumatic place. This article invites you to explore the subtle signs of trauma and reflect on yourself to get more clarity on responses, symptoms and signs on a daily base.

What Is Trauma?
Trauma is often associated with significant events - big disasters, violent incidents, or accidents - but it’s important to understand that trauma isn’t just about what happens to us - And, they don´t have to be as big as the usual image of a traumatic event.
It’s also about how our mind and body respond to these events. Trauma can result from a wide range of experiences, including those that might not seem obviously traumatic to others. I like to look at this moment as a very personal one. The key factor is how these experiences affect you personally, how we are noticing it and how we are taking care afterwards.

The Subtle Signs of Trauma
Trauma can manifest in various ways, and the signs aren’t always obvious. Here are some subtle indicators that you might be dealing with trauma:

Persistent Anxiety or Fear: If you notice a lingering sense of anxiety or fear that doesn’t seem to have a clear cause, this could be a sign of trauma. It might show up as a constant sense of unease, worrying about things that never used to bother you, or feeling jumpy and easily startled.

Emotional Numbness: Sometimes, trauma can cause us to shut down emotionally. You might feel detached from your emotions, as if you’re observing your life from a distance rather than living it. This numbness can make it difficult to connect with others or even enjoy activities that once brought you pleasure.

Flashbacks or Intrusive Thoughts: Do you find yourself revisiting certain memories over and over, almost as if you’re reliving them? These could be flashbacks or intrusive thoughts, which are common symptoms of trauma. They might come on unexpectedly, triggered by something seemingly unrelated, like a smell or a sound.

Avoidance: If you’re avoiding certain places, people, or activities that remind you of a past experience, this could be a sign of trauma. Avoidance is a common way, trying to protect us from reliving something painful, but it can also prevent us from fully engaging with life.

Physical Symptoms: Trauma doesn’t just affect the mind; it can also manifest in the body. You might experience unexplained aches, pains, or tension. Some people with trauma also report issues like insomnia, headaches, or stomach problems.

Hypervigilance: Being constantly on edge, always on the lookout for danger, or having a heightened startle response can indicate that your body is stuck in “fight or flight” mode—a common reaction to trauma.

Changes in Beliefs or Worldview: Trauma can shift the way we see the world, often in ways that make it seem less safe or more hostile. If you find that your beliefs about yourself, others, or the world around you have changed dramatically, this could be a sign of underlying trauma.

Difficulty Trusting Others: Trauma can erode our sense of trust, making it hard to rely on others or believe that we’re safe in relationships. You might find yourself questioning the motives of those around you or feeling isolated, even in close relationships.

Contemplating the Question: Am I dealing with a traumatic response?
If any of the signs above resonate with you, it might be worth taking a moment to reflect on your experiences and observe your body symptoms. This isn’t about labeling yourself or jumping to conclusions, but rather about understanding your inner landscape and listening to your bodies language.

Here are a few gentle questions to guide your reflection:

What emotions do I experience most often?
Consider whether feelings like fear, anger, or sadness are more present in your life than before.

How do I feel in my body?
Pay attention to any physical discomfort or tension that might be linked to emotional experiences.

What memories come to mind repeatedly?
Reflect on whether there are specific events or moments that seem to replay in your mind.

How do I relate to others?
Notice if your relationships have changed, particularly in terms of trust, closeness, or conflict.

Am I avoiding anything?
Think about whether there are places, activities, or conversations you’re steering clear of.

Seeking Support and Moving Forward
If you recognize some of these signs in yourself, it’s important to know that you’re not alone and that support is available. Identifying trauma is the first step in a journey toward healing, but it’s a step that can be daunting to take alone.
Consider seeking out a trauma-informed therapist who can help you explore these feelings in a safe and supportive environment. Therapy can provide the tools you need to process your experiences, understand their impact, and begin to heal.

Remember, healing from trauma is not about forgetting or erasing what has happened, but about finding a way to live fully and peacefully despite it. Be gentle with yourself as you navigate this process.

Conclusion and personal Opinion
Identifying trauma can be a delicate process, one that requires patience and self-compassion. The signs are not always obvious, and the journey toward understanding can be complex. However, by taking the time to reflect on your experiences and feelings, you can begin to uncover whether trauma might be influencing your life. Remember, this exploration is a personal on - there’s no rush and no right or wrong way to go about it.

Take the time and space to understand your own Body fully - Its about listening to your bodies language.

I’d like to offer a personal perspective here: Trauma is a big word, and in today’s world, it’s often used in ways that may not fully capture the complexity of our experiences. We tend to put our issues into neat boxes, giving each other labels and focusing too much on solving problems by tracing them back to a specific cause. While understanding the origins of our struggles can be helpful, I believe it’s just as important to pay attention to how we’re responding to life and to meet all these little and big symptomes with loving attention.

Consider this: Is your response to daily stress or certain situations rooted in a past traumatic experiences - FullBody De-Armouring could be incredibly beneficial.

De-Armouring is about releasing the physical and emotional armor that we develop over time in response to trauma. It’s a way of gently guiding yourself back to a state of openness and presence, allowing you to engage with life more fully and authentically.

Healing from traumatic experiences is not about forgetting or erasing what has happened, its not about understanding the why, it is about finding a way to live fully and peacefully despite it and to find enough trust to release the tension.

If you feel uncertain, insecure or overwhelmed in this process at any point, consider reaching out to a professional who can walk with you on this journey. Healing is possible, and it begins with the simple, courageous act of willingness to change something.

And, you don’t have to walk this path by yourself.

*If this article resonates with you, feel free to explore more insights and resources here on my blog or feel free to reach out here.

Warmly

Johannes Ebert Bodywork