How Trauma Impacts Mental Health and What You Can Do to Heal

Trauma is something that can affect us in profound ways. Whether it’s a single event or a series of events, trauma can have lasting emotional, psychological, and physical effects that are often difficult to fully understand—especially when we’re in the midst of it. If you’ve experienced trauma, you might be feeling overwhelmed, confused, or unsure about how to move forward. You might even wonder if your current struggles with anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties are connected to past experiences that you've never fully healed from.

In this blog post, we’ll talk about how trauma impacts mental health, the signs that trauma may be affecting your life, and most importantly, what you can do to begin healing. If you’re ready to take the next step in your healing journey, this information can help guide you toward the support and resources you need.

What Is Trauma?

Trauma occurs when we experience events that overwhelm our ability to cope. These experiences can be life-threatening or deeply distressing—such as abuse, a car accident, or the loss of a loved one. Trauma can also come from more subtle experiences, such as growing up in a chaotic household or enduring chronic stress over time.

The important thing to remember is that trauma doesn’t have to be caused by a single dramatic event. It can stem from ongoing, unresolved experiences that leave emotional scars. These scars, if not addressed, can impact your mental health long after the event itself.

How Trauma Impacts Mental Health

Trauma doesn’t just go away on its own. Even though the event may have happened years ago, the emotional and psychological impact can last long into adulthood. Here’s how trauma can manifest in mental health:

1. Emotional Numbing or Detachment
   One of the most common ways trauma impacts mental health is through emotional numbing. People who have experienced trauma often disconnect from their feelings as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions. This detachment can make it hard to experience joy, love, or even sadness—leading to feelings of emptiness, hopelessness, or depression.

2. Increased Anxiety and Hypervigilance
   Trauma can trigger a constant state of anxiety. You may feel on edge, as if danger is always looming. This hypervigilance is your body’s way of protecting you, but it can leave you feeling anxious, restless, and unable to relax. It might show up as constant worrying, difficulty sleeping, or physical symptoms like a racing heart or shallow breathing.

3. Depression and Negative Thought Patterns
   Trauma often leads to depression, especially if it has gone unprocessed for a long period of time. When trauma isn’t healed, it can lead to deep feelings of worthlessness, shame, or guilt. You may feel like you’re stuck, unable to move forward in life. Negative thought patterns—such as believing you’re unworthy or that you’ll never be happy again—can become pervasive and take over your mental space.

4. Relationship Difficulties
   Trauma can also affect your ability to trust and connect with others. You might have difficulty forming close relationships or maintaining healthy boundaries. Trauma can cause you to push people away, or it might make you overly clingy, fearful of abandonment. In either case, unresolved trauma can lead to strained relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners.

5. Physical Symptoms and Chronic Pain
   It’s important to remember that trauma doesn’t just affect the mind; it can have physical effects as well. People who experience trauma may have chronic pain, digestive issues, or other physical ailments that are connected to their emotional wounds. This mind-body connection is real and should not be ignored.

How to Heal from Trauma: Practical Steps for Recovery

The good news is that healing from trauma is possible. While it may seem like an uphill battle, there are practical steps you can take to begin processing your trauma and improving your mental health. Healing takes time, patience, and support—but it is absolutely achievable.

1. Seek Professional Therapy
   One of the most effective ways to heal from trauma is through therapy. Working with a trauma-informed therapist can help you process your emotional pain and begin to rebuild your mental health. Internal Family Systems (IFS) therapy is an excellent approach for healing trauma. IFS helps you connect with different "parts" of yourself—particularly the parts that were hurt or damaged by trauma—and guide them toward healing. IFS provides a safe, compassionate environment where you can explore your experiences and transform your relationship with yourself.

2. Practice Mindfulness and Self-Compassion
   Healing trauma often involves learning how to be present with your emotions and physical sensations. Mindfulness practices—like deep breathing, meditation, and body scans—can help you stay grounded in the present moment and prevent you from being overwhelmed by past memories. Pairing mindfulness with self-compassion can also be transformative. Trauma survivors often struggle with self-criticism, shame, and feelings of unworthiness. Cultivating self-compassion helps you to be kind to yourself during the healing process, and it’s essential for overcoming negative beliefs that stem from trauma.

3. Build a Support System
   Healing from trauma doesn’t have to be a solitary journey. In fact, it’s often more effective when you have a supportive network of friends, family, or support groups. Talking to someone you trust about your experiences can provide emotional relief and help you feel less isolated. If you’re unsure where to turn, look for a trauma support group or a community of people who have been through similar experiences.

4. Engage in Somatic Therapy
   Somatic therapy focuses on the mind-body connection and helps individuals release trauma that may be stored in the body. Techniques like breathwork, movement, or gentle touch can help you process and release physical tension or pain that’s linked to emotional trauma. This approach can be especially helpful for those who feel stuck in their trauma and have difficulty accessing their emotions through traditional talk therapy alone.

5. Take Care of Your Physical Health
   Trauma can take a toll on your physical health, so it’s important to care for your body during the healing process. Exercise, proper nutrition, and sleep can help regulate your mood and improve your overall well-being. Physical activities like yoga, walking, or swimming can also help release tension in your body and promote relaxation.

6. Create Healthy Boundaries
   As you heal from trauma, learning how to set and maintain healthy boundaries is essential. Boundaries help protect you from people or situations that might trigger your trauma or prevent your healing. Whether it’s learning how to say no, communicating your needs, or removing yourself from toxic relationships, setting boundaries is an important skill for emotional safety and growth.

Healing Is a Journey—And You Don’t Have to Do It Alone

If you’re reading this and thinking, “This sounds like me,” know that you’re not alone. Many people struggle with the effects of trauma, and it’s okay to seek help. Healing from trauma is a journey, and it’s one that requires courage, support, and self-compassion. Whether you choose to work with a therapist, join a support group, or engage in practices like mindfulness or somatic therapy, there are plenty of resources available to help you on your path to healing.

At Moxie Health & Wellness, we specialize in trauma-informed therapy and can help guide you through the healing process, whether you're dealing with anxiety, depression, or past traumatic events. If you’re ready to take the first step, reach out today to schedule a consultation. Together, we can work toward helping you heal and rediscover a life filled with peace, joy, and connection.