Trauma is a profound emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, and its impact can ripple through every aspect of a person’s life. Whether it stems from adverse childhood experiences, a single traumatic event, or prolonged exposure to hardship, trauma affects individuals mentally, physically, and emotionally. The effects of untreated trauma can be far-reaching, drastically impacting relationships, career performance, self-esteem, and overall well-being. Understanding the true consequences of untreated trauma and knowing how to seek help are critical for reclaiming control and living a fulfilling life.
How Untreated Trauma Affects the Mind and Body
The effects of untreated trauma can impact every aspect of your life. During a traumatic event, your brain will do whatever it can to help you feel better and survive the fear, danger, or helplessness you are experiencing. Survival mode is helpful in the moment, but if trauma symptoms don’t get treated, they can interfere with your day-to-day life.
Trauma that goes untreated can develop into mental health disorders like PTSD, anxiety, or depression. You may have thoughts of your trauma replaying over in your mind, be haunted by nightmares and flashbacks, or have trouble focusing on everyday tasks or feeling safe. Some other symptoms of untreated trauma include irritability, mood swings, feeling on edge, or being easily startled. Because trauma can make your emotions feel out of whack, you may struggle to maintain relationships with your loved ones. This can contribute to feeling isolated and lonely.
Your physical health can be impacted by trauma as well. When your body is constantly under stress from the side effects of trauma, your nervous system can become overwhelmed. This can lead to experiencing frequent headaches or migraines, digestive issues, muscle tension, and an increased heart rate. Not to mention, chronic stress can impact your immune system and make you more susceptible to getting sick.
You may also find yourself acting out to avoid feeling the pain your trauma has caused. Some people develop unhealthy habits as a coping mechanism. These habits may include drug use, alcohol abuse, eating disorders, self-harm, etc.
Trauma’s Impact on Relationships
Trauma’s fallout often disrupts how individuals connect with others. Trust is frequent collateral damage in the aftermath of a traumatic event since survivors may grapple with feelings of betrayal or fear that similar harm could happen again. As a result, individuals with untreated trauma may develop an avoidant attachment style, keeping others at arm’s length to protect themselves from further emotional hurt.
At the other extreme, some trauma survivors tend to be overly people-pleasing or need constant reassurance and validation from others to try to fill the hole their pain has created. Either way, healthy functioning in relationships with others can suffer. Partners and loved ones can become frustrated or disappointed, creating discord in relationships.
Trauma that is left untreated can create generational patterns within families. When trauma happens during childhood (also known as adverse childhood experiences or ACEs), those negative experiences can carry over into adulthood when they become parents. Parents can unknowingly continue the cycle of causing harm to their children. However, when they get the proper therapy break the cycle.
Why It’s Important to Address Trauma
The effects of trauma might feel overwhelming and unending, but it’s crucial to understand that healing is possible. Addressing trauma is important not only for an individual’s health and quality of life but also for fostering stronger relationships, greater self-esteem, and genuine recovery from emotional wounds.
Treating trauma doesn’t mean erasing bad experiences but instead finding ways to process and integrate them so they no longer control your thoughts, behaviors, or emotions. Therapy equips individuals with strategies to regulate emotions, address distorted thinking patterns, and regain control over their lives. By addressing the effects of untreated trauma, people can break free from the pain of the past and start looking forward to a brighter future.
How to Seek Help for Trauma
Healing from trauma starts with courage and the willingness to take the first steps toward recovery. Recognizing the trauma side effects and understanding their impact on your life can help you see the importance of reaching out for professional support.
There are several forms of trauma therapy that specialize in addressing the effects of trauma. Evidence-based modalities such as cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) are widely used to help individuals process traumatic experiences, manage triggers, and release the emotional hold these events may have on their lives. Psychodynamic therapy can also help individuals explore the underlying issues contributing to their trauma responses, including unresolved conflicts and deep-seated fears.
Group therapy provides another valuable avenue for healing, offering a sense of community among others who share similar experiences. Building connections with peers who truly understand the challenges of trauma can be incredibly validating and empowering during the recovery journey.
It’s also essential to consider lifestyle changes that supplement traditional therapy. Practices such as mindfulness, yoga, and meditation can help individuals ground themselves during moments of stress. Physical exercise is another powerful tool, as endorphin release can combat the depressive symptoms linked to trauma side effects.
Seeking help for trauma is a sign of strength, not weakness. Professional care brings clarity, hope, and the tools needed to navigate life’s challenges with resilience. The sooner you start addressing the effects of untreated trauma, the faster you can find freedom from its grip and regain control of your mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Don’t Let the Effects of Untreated Trauma Impact You. Start Healing Today
Throughout New Jersey, Speranza Behavioral Health provides compassionate, evidence-based care for individuals grappling with trauma. No matter how overwhelming your journey may feel, you are not alone. Trauma does not have to define your future, and healing is within reach with the right support system and therapeutic approach.
If you’re dealing with trauma side effects or struggling to address the broader effects of untreated trauma, help is just a call away. Contact Speranza Behavioral Health today for comprehensive trauma treatment in NJ. With our expert team by your side, you can begin your path toward recovery, resilience, and ultimately, a happier life.
