The importance of understanding trauma, lies in the effects that trauma has. A traumatic experience may only last for a short moment, but the effects can span through the rest of a person’s life. The brain, the body and the heart are all impacted and this week we will consider the personal impacts of trauma.

It is important to understand the initial symptoms or short-term trauma response when considering trauma effects. Directly after a traumatic experience, shock and denial are common responses. Shock is brought on by a sudden drop in blood flow throughout the body. Denial is the action of declaring something as untrue. Shock exhibits a very physical effect on the body while denial reveals a significant effect on the mind.

The struggles experienced from trauma are what often lead a person to identify that they have experienced it. These struggles beyond the initial trauma response sound the alarm bells of the destructive nature of trauma. Referred to as long term trauma responses, these can be flashbacks, unpredictable emotions, strained relationships and other physical symptoms like headache, lack of sleep and increased heart rate. Unpredictable emotions show the burden that trauma places on the heart of a person. Flashbacks reveal trauma manipulating the mind to not be completely living in the present moment. Another specific symptom of trauma is dissociation–when an individual disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, behaviors and sense of identity. Dissociation due to trauma shows the full body effect that trauma can have.

Each component of a trauma response brings to light the connection between trauma and the brain, body and heart. You cannot have connection without impact. Like a house with a cracked foundation, the problems may be unseen but they are pervasive. Without knowing it, a broken foundation in the house creates an unsafe space to live. Just like that house, trauma puts a crack in the foundational beliefs of a person; what they think about themselves, others and reality. The split in a building’s foundation alters what’s built above. Trauma creates an unsafe reality for the brain, body and heart of a person to operate in a healthy way.

This reality has never been our intended way of living. Trauma is an inescapable human experience, each of us will encounter it. Understanding its impacts brings an awareness that allows us to not let our trauma hold us captive and hinder us forever. Awareness and acknowledgement is our first step. Cracks in the foundation of a beautiful home can be filled and repaired. Trauma can be healed. A life can be restored.