Trauma (such as post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD) and anxiety often result in physical symptoms as well as emotional ones. These symptoms can often be mistaken for other conditions when they are, in fact, a result of trauma and/or anxiety!
There are several physical symptoms to look out for. If you are experiencing any of these symptoms and believe that they may be a result of trauma, you should seek medical assistance as soon as you can.
Fatigue and Lethargy
Trauma can be exhausting, and emotional exhaustion can have effects on the body. If you are constantly feeling physically tired and drained of energy despite getting enough sleep and eating properly, your fatigue may be a result of past trauma. Trauma often leads to depression, and fatigue and lethargy are some of the most common symptoms of depression.
Increased Heart Rate
Remembering trauma often leads to spikes of anxiety or even full-blown panic attacks. Anxiety puts the brain into “fight or flight” mode, a side effect of which is a noticeably higher heart rate. Anxiety can manifest itself as a constant, lower-level restlessness and inability to stay calm, more serious episodes of terror, or both. Thankfully, anxiety can be treated with a variety of solutions, from medication to breathing exercises to therapy.
Dizziness
Experiencing spells of dizziness or light-headedness is another common symptom of anxiety. These can also be caused by dissociation or as a side-effect of medications that may be used to treat anxiety, depression, or other results of trauma.
Can Result in Injuries or Risky Behavior
Injury in individuals who suffer from trauma or anxiety is common. While these conditions do not cause injury directly, they can lead people to be more susceptible to injury for different reasons.
Injuries such as cuts and burns can be a result of self-harm, which is a common behavior among trauma survivors. Signs of self-harm should not be ignored, and a medical professional should be consulted. People who suffer from trauma are also more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as heavy substance use, which can lead to injuries from falls or car accidents or even dangerous physical altercations with others.
It Can Make Injuries Worse
Many people who struggle with anxiety and trauma can unknowingly cause more damage long term by putting off medical care because they aren’t aware of the alternative options out there for them. So if you have fallen and damaged your shoulder but are scared of having surgery, then you won’t be alone in asking, “can I avoid rotator cuff surgery?” Start your research into the matter to see how you can heal your rotator cuff without the need for surgery. You might be surprised at the different options available for you.
Conclusion
The effects of trauma can vary widely based on each individual and on the specific nature of the trauma. Any effects can last anything from a few days or weeks to many years. The time taken to recover from traumatic events can be reduced by getting the right medical help from a specialist. An effective trauma recovery may be comprised of talk therapy, behavioral therapy, medications, and other techniques.
If you are suffering from the effects of trauma, help is available. The sooner you and your doctor address your trauma, the better your chance of making a full recovery.
