Relief is just around the corner

Whether you have experienced one big event or have been exposed to distressing situations over months or years, trauma leaves you with symptoms you might not even realize. You may feel overwhelmed with emotions, depressed, or anxious on some days while other days you might be feeling numb and detached. Perhaps you continue to keep yourself busy or distracted to avoid acknowledging difficult thoughts and feelings.

Maybe you are questioning whether or not you have trauma because your experiences aren’t violence or war. However it’s important to know about Complex Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), as this kind of trauma occurs when there is prolonged exposure to distressing circumstances, like months or even years.

Whatever the specific symptoms, you are beginning to notice the negative impact this is having in other areas in your life:

• Struggling with panic, anxiety, and/or depression
• Difficulty concentrating on most days
• Inability to fall asleep even when you are exhausted
• Oscillating between very low energy and hyper vigilance
• Feeling like you are always on edge and can never relax
• Self-medicating with drugs and/or alcohol
• You may struggle with wanting closeness in a relationship, but often push away people you care about