Have I Just Had a Traumatic Experience? Signs and Ways to Recover from Trauma

Words are some of the most precious gifts the Lord has given us. Using our words, we can describe ourselves, our experiences, and the world around us. When we name something, it allows us to understand it better. In fact, the Bible talks directly about the power of words in Proverbs 18:21: “The tongue has the power of life and death.”

The same goes when you have a traumatic experience. Understanding what trauma is and naming your trauma appropriately can help you begin recovering from the effects of a devastating experience.

We live in a world that is broken and fallen (Genesis 3). This doesn’t mean there’s nothing good in the world. On the contrary, there is much to celebrate. However, amid the beauty, there is also pain, even in something as beautiful and creative as childbirth or a romantic relationship. Pain, hardship, and loss touch us all in one way or another as we make our way through life. Traumatic experiences are part of the fabric of the world we live in.

Understanding and Naming Trauma After a Traumatic Experience

After you’ve gone through something, you may be the sort of person who pauses, reflects, and asks, “What was that?” Perhaps it’s a painful breakup or divorce, or maybe you were involved in a bad traffic accident, and you’re still trying to put the pieces back together. Some people have been the victims of crime, and they struggle to make sense of their feelings after the fact.

After certain difficult experiences, you may be prompted to ask whether you’ve just gone through a traumatic event. You may even want to know how you’d know if something you’ve been through has traumatized you. Beyond that, you might also be asking how to find healing in Christ so that the experience doesn’t have a hold on you, and it doesn’t have the final say in who you are and how you live your life.

Trauma can be understood as the psychological and emotional response a person has to an experience that they find disturbing or deeply distressing. These kinds of experiences tend to overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope with them.

It’s a bit like when a circuit is overloaded and it trips, shutting down. To talk about trauma is mainly to talk about how our bodies and minds experience and try to make sense of what just happened.

While trauma is less about the event itself and more about how that event is processed, certain events tend to overwhelm our ability to cope with them. Though we are wired differently and don’t all have the same level of resilience or ability to cope, there are certain kinds of events that most people would find overwhelming. These include witnessing violence or experiencing physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.

Other examples of experiences that could result in trauma are natural disasters like a tsunami, earthquake, or wildfire. Being caught in a serious accident or having a sudden and serious health crisis can also be the cause of trauma. Various situations where you may have felt either powerless, unsafe, or threatened may lie at the root of trauma as well.

Trauma is not only the result of situations where you find yourself in physical danger. Trauma can be experienced by the sudden loss of a loved one, if you experience deep betrayal, or if you are abandoned by a loved one.

These and other kinds of experiences can contribute to trauma. It is important to remember that even though two people experience the exact same event, they won’t necessarily develop trauma. Trauma and being traumatized depend on how the individual experiences the moment, and that includes how it impacts one’s sense of meaning, control, and their sense of safety as well.

The Signs of Trauma to Look Out for

If you’ve gone through some things and you’re wondering if the experience has traumatized you, there are several signs of trauma that you can keep an eye out for. Trauma manifests in various ways, on the heels of the event, but also over time. There are some signs to consider as you reflect on your experience. These include:

Physical and behavioral signs of trauma Physical symptoms such as stomach pains, headaches, or unexplained muscle tension. These also include struggling to sleep or having recurring nightmares. Behaviors such as avoiding reminders of the experience or social withdrawal are also signs of trauma. Lastly, feeling on edge and struggling to concentrate also point to trauma.

Emotional and mental signs Feelings such as anxiety, panic, or a lingering sense of dread are suggestive of anxiety. Other emotions such as shock, numbness, and intense fear are also signs of trauma. Trauma and the ensuing loss of a sense of safety could result in irritability, mood swings, or anger. Additionally, you may feel disconnected or emotionally detached from your loved ones or from life.

Another possible sign of trauma is when one experiences dreams, intrusive thoughts, or even flashbacks from the experience. These can be deeply upsetting, making it feel like you’re experiencing it all over again.

Spiritual signs Trauma can manifest as a feeling of being distant from God or as though He has abandoned you. Struggling to pray or read Scripture, as well as intensely questioning and wrestling with God’s protection or goodness, may also point to trauma.

These various responses to a difficult experience may begin to hinder daily functioning. When they persist or intensify, it begins to suggest that the experience was more than simply upsetting; it has become traumatic.

Recovering from Trauma and Moving Toward Healing

Why is it that some people will experience a traumatic event, but they won’t necessarily be traumatized? People process and recover from challenging circumstances and experiences differently, and certain factors can render trauma more likely. Getting a handle on these can be a help in mitigating the impact of traumatic experiences and in building greater resilience.

Trauma is often more likely when one is exposed repeatedly or over a long time to dangerous or harmful situations and experiences. An example is when a person is repeatedly abused, or a second responder who finds their life under threat on multiple occasions. Trauma may also result when the event itself is sudden, deeply shocking, or involves being helpless. A deadly natural disaster is an example of this sort of event.

Other things that can make trauma more likely are when the individual feels like they are alone and without emotional support. We all need people around us to care for us and to be sounding boards for us when we go through crises. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 states, “Two are better than one . . . if either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

Being alone strips you of additional capacity to deal with difficult circumstances. Lastly, experiences that shake your core beliefs about your safety or your trust in God’s presence can also result in trauma.

Recovering from trauma is a journey. You can’t get there all at once, but it’s possible to heal and find yourself as well as your sense of safety and meaning again. Some steps that may be helpful along this journey include:

Naming the pain It’s important to acknowledge what you’ve gone through, and to name it for what it is. Be honest with the Lord and with yourself about what you’ve gone through. He knows you and loves you, through and through (Psalm 139), and He can meet you in your pain.

Pray and lament You can bring the pain, insecurity, loss of meaning, and everything else the traumatic experience has robbed you of or brought into your life and take it to the Lord in prayer. There are many Psalms of lament, like Psalm 6, 13, or 22, that can help you to give utterance to your confusion, grief, and fear even as you lean into God’s unfailing love. Take the time to reflect on what Scripture says about God’s character and faithful presence.

Gentle self-care Traumatic experiences and trauma wrench you out of what you know into new and painful territory. Instead of leaning into self-destructive behaviors to self-soothe or silence the pain, opt for gentle self-care. Rest, eat healthy and nourishing food, and get some exercise. Connect with other people. Small and consistent steps add up, and maintaining healthy rhythms can help you heal and regain a sense of safety and normalcy.

Get professional help In addition to seeking safe and wise support from loved ones who can help bear your burden and struggle, you can get professional help. A trauma-informed therapist can help you by offering practical tools as well as working with you through therapies to recover from trauma. They can guide you toward healing while integrating your faith as part of the process of recovery.

Seeking Help After a Traumatic Experience

Trauma isn’t the final word after a traumatic experience, and it isn’t a sign of weak faith. Instead, seeking help when dealing with trauma is a courageous and wise step. Healing, hope, and redemption are possible.

2 Corinthians 12:9 states, “Strength is made perfect in weakness.”

If you are feeling overwhelmed or unsafe after a traumatic experience, reach out to our office and speak to a representative today. They can schedule an appointment with a Christian counselor or therapist near you.