Struggling Mental Health After Trauma

Disclaimer: This article is for informational and awareness purposes only and should not replace professional medical or psychological advice. If you are struggling with trauma, PTSD, or suicidal thoughts, please seek immediate help. In the UK, you can contact: Samaritans: 116 123 (available 24/7), Mind: 0300 123 3393, Shout Crisis Text Line: Text “SHOUT” to 85258. Your life is valuable, and support is available. 💙

Healing the Invisible Wounds That Time Alone Cannot Mend

Trauma can change a person’s world in an instant. Whether it stems from domestic violence, childhood abuse, loss, betrayal, or a sudden life-altering event, trauma leaves emotional imprints that can last a lifetime. It doesn’t simply fade away with time; instead, it lingers in the subconscious, replaying through intrusive memories, flashbacks, or emotional triggers that can feel impossible to escape.

Many people who have survived trauma live with hypervigilance, constantly on edge as their minds scan for danger even in safe environments. Others may feel numb or detached, unable to connect with others or trust again. These are not signs of weakness but of a brain that has endured profound stress and is still trying to protect itself.

How Trauma Affects Mental Health

Trauma doesn’t only affect emotions; it rewires the brain. The amygdala, which controls the fight-or-flight response, becomes overactive, while the prefrontal cortex (responsible for logic and decision-making) can weaken. This imbalance leads to a constant sense of threat, anxiety, and difficulty processing rational thought.

Common post-traumatic mental health struggles include:

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): Reliving the trauma through flashbacks, nightmares, or severe anxiety.
Depression: Persistent sadness, hopelessness, and emotional exhaustion.
Anxiety Disorders: Overthinking, panic attacks, or intense fear without a clear cause.
Obsessive-Compulsive Behaviours: Attempting to regain control through repetitive actions or rituals.
Dissociation: Feeling detached from reality or oneself as a defence mechanism.

The effects can be overwhelming, especially when society expects survivors to simply “move on.” Healing isn’t linear; some days may feel manageable, while others bring waves of despair.

Why People Struggle to Cope

One of the greatest challenges after trauma is feeling misunderstood or invalidated. Friends, family, or employers may not comprehend the depth of pain a survivor carries. Statements like “you need to let it go” or “others have it worse” only amplify feelings of isolation.

Additionally, trauma can cause:

Trust Issues: Fear of betrayal or abandonment.
Avoidance: Withdrawing from social activities or triggers that remind the person of the trauma.
Guilt and Shame: Believing the event was their fault, even when it wasn’t.
Hyperarousal: Insomnia, irritability, and constant alertness.

These responses are the mind’s way of coping with an overwhelming experience; they are not choices but survival mechanisms.

The Link Between Trauma and Physical Health

Emotional pain often manifests physically. Chronic stress from trauma can lead to headaches, digestive issues, fatigue, and a weakened immune system. Studies show that long-term trauma can even alter gene expression through epigenetics, affecting how the body responds to future stress.

The mind-body connection is powerful; healing mental wounds often requires addressing both the psychological and physical symptoms together.

Steps Toward Healing

Healing from trauma requires compassion, patience, and support. It may not be possible to erase the past, but it is possible to reclaim control and peace.

Here are some steps survivors can take:

Acknowledge the Trauma: Recognising what happened is the first step toward recovery.
Seek Professional Help: Trauma-informed therapy, EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), and counselling can help reframe painful memories.
Build a Support System: Surround yourself with people who understand, listen, and believe you.
Establish Safety: Create routines and environments where you feel secure.
Practice Self-Compassion: Be gentle with yourself; healing takes time, and setbacks are normal.
Mind-Body Techniques: Mindfulness, meditation, yoga, or gentle breathing exercises can help calm the nervous system.
Creative Outlets: Writing, art, or music can provide healthy ways to express pain without words.

Breaking the Stigma

Society still struggles to understand trauma-related mental illness. Survivors often feel ashamed to speak out, fearing judgment or disbelief. But silence only feeds the pain. By sharing experiences, we normalise conversations around trauma, helping others realise they are not alone.

Healing is not about forgetting the past; it’s about learning to live with it peacefully. Compassion, education, and empathy are key in breaking the cycle of misunderstanding and stigma.

Final Thoughts

If you’re struggling after trauma, know this: your reaction is valid. Your pain matters. Healing doesn’t happen overnight, but it does happen. Each step you take toward recovery is a victory, no matter how small. You survived something life-changing; now it’s time to heal without shame or self-blame.

The Editor of DisabledEntrepreneur.uk, Renata M Barnes, has lived through her share of trauma, from domestic abuse, betrayal, and loss, to the long-term impact on her mental health and wellbeing. Despite the scars of the past, she found purpose in transforming her pain into advocacy. Through writing, research, and supporting others living with invisible disabilities and mental health challenges, she has created a safe platform for people to share their voices and be heard. Renata’s mission is to remind survivors that trauma does not define them, it refines them. Her ongoing journey of healing has inspired her to empower others to rebuild their confidence, find strength through self-awareness, and realise that even after darkness, it is possible to thrive again.