Bereavement and Loss
Bereavement and Loss
Trauma can occur after experiencing or witnessing an event that feels overwhelming, frightening, or unsafe. This may be a single incident, such as an accident, assault, or sudden loss, or it may be the result of ongoing experiences over time.
What is important to understand is that trauma is not determined by the event itself, but by how the experience affected you. Two people can go through the same situation and respond very differently. There is no right or wrong way to react.
Sometimes the impact of trauma is felt immediately. For others, symptoms may not appear until weeks, months, or even years later. You may find yourself wondering why something from the past is still affecting you now.
Trauma can leave you feeling stuck in survival mode, constantly on alert, emotionally overwhelmed, or disconnected from yourself and others. You may notice yourself reacting in ways that feel difficult to understand, such as wanting to fight back, run away, shut down, or please others to keep yourself safe. These are often known as the fight, flight, freeze and fawn responses and are natural survival responses to threat.
At Lotus Spirit Therapy, I offer trauma-informed counselling in Leamington Spa, Warwick, Rugby and across Warwickshire. Together, we can explore your experiences in a safe, confidential and non-judgemental space, helping you make sense of what has happened and begin moving towards healing.
Common Effects of Trauma
Flashbacks
You may find yourself reliving aspects of a traumatic experience through memories, sensations, emotions, nightmares, or intrusive thoughts. These experiences can feel as though the event is happening again in the present moment.
Anxiety and Feeling on Edge
Many people notice increased anxiety following trauma. You may feel constantly alert, struggle to relax, experience panic attacks, or feel unsafe even when there is no immediate danger.
Sleep Difficulties
Trauma can have a significant impact on sleep. Nightmares, racing thoughts, and feelings of anxiety can make it difficult to fall asleep or stay asleep, leaving you feeling exhausted and drained.
Low Mood and Depression
Living with the effects of trauma can feel isolating and overwhelming. You may experience low mood, sadness, hopelessness, or lose interest in things you once enjoyed.
Dissociation and Emotional Numbness
Some people cope by disconnecting from difficult emotions or experiences. You may feel detached from yourself, emotionally numb, or as though you are observing life from a distance. This is often the mind's way of protecting you from overwhelming feelings.
Self-Medicating and Coping Behaviours
When emotional pain feels difficult to manage, some people turn to alcohol, substances, food, overworking, or other coping strategies to numb or escape difficult feelings. Whilst these behaviours can provide temporary relief, they often do not address the underlying hurt.
Childhood Trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs)
Trauma experienced during childhood can have a lasting impact on emotional wellbeing, relationships, self-esteem, and how we view ourselves and the world around us.
You may have grown up feeling unsafe, unheard, criticised, neglected, or responsible for other people's emotions. Experiences such as abuse, domestic violence, loss, family conflict, addiction, or emotional neglect can continue to affect us long into adulthood.
Often, childhood trauma shows up in ways we do not immediately connect to our past. You may struggle with anxiety, people-pleasing, boundaries, trust, low self-worth, perfectionism, or feeling responsible for everyone else's needs.
The good news is that healing is possible.
Through trauma-informed counselling, we can gently explore these experiences at a pace that feels safe for you. Together, we can develop a greater understanding of your patterns, strengthen your emotional resilience, and help you reconnect with yourself.
Taking the First Step
Seeking support can feel daunting, especially when trust has been impacted by past experiences. You do not have to face this alone.
I offer trauma counselling for adults, children and young people in Leamington Spa, Warwick, Rugby and throughout Warwickshire, as well as online sessions across the UK.