Could the Anxiety and Depression I’m Experiencing be Related to Trauma?

Yes, it could.

Persistent anxiety and depression can be incredibly frustrating. While both can be caused by a myriad of factors including biological and psychosocial factors, they are also both considered to be common secondary symptoms of trauma alongside post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Therapy techniques like reprocessing traumatic events or somatic work to ease physical effects may help to alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. A trauma-informed professional can help you assess if a diagnosis of PTSD or C-PTSD (Complex PTSD) is appropriate or locate general trauma-related symptoms. If any of the following resonate with you, you might be on the right track.  

“It’s not a big deal, so why am I so upset?”

It is typical for those experiencing depression or anxiety to have increased symptoms following a breakup or a job loss, for example. A serious increase in symptoms after a friend cancels a lunch plan or you drop a cup of coffee, however, may be an indicator that your symptoms are related to a traumatic experience. You might find yourself knowing intellectually that what happened recently does not have a major impact, but arguing with the feelings isn’t making them go away. It might even take you several days to feel better. Unprocessed traumatic events can leave us with triggers and create strong reactions to minor events. 

“I never want to be back there again.”

It makes sense that we would want to avoid things that remind us of painful times. After a difficult break-up you might not want to listen to a song you both loved or walk into an office building where you were fired from a great job. A sign that we are struggling with trauma-related symptoms might look more like difficulty returning to a city we used to live in or avoiding all medical care after a frightening illness. Aversion of traumatic reminders is a hallmark of trauma-related disorders and PTSD and is one of the most common symptoms.  Traumatic reminders can bring back a flood of memories, inspire nightmares, make you feel like you are under attack, or even make you feel like you are right back in that frightening scenario or time period. 

“Why is it so hard for me to rest?”

Those that are experiencing trauma-related symptoms often struggle with being able to fully relax or to get a good night’s sleep. Rather than struggles that come from a temporary stressor like not sleeping well the week before starting a new job, for example, trauma survivors may have pervasive difficulties with sleep that have damaging effects. Frequent nightmares, nightmare disorders, and insomnia are common and can wreak havoc in other parts of our lives. For some, relaxing at the end of the day or even on vacation can be difficult following traumatic events. Hypervigilance is common, forcing us to stay on edge in order to sense potential danger, or some simply find it difficult to sit alone with their thoughts with no distractions. 

Trauma Therapy Can Help. 

If these symptoms sound familiar, you are in the right place. Our trauma-informed therapists can help you reduce the mental and physical symptoms that can follow trauma. We come to this work with the lived experience and thorough training to help you safely explore your symptoms and process the difficult times you’ve been through. The trauma you have lived with does not define you, and things can get better.