How Do I Know If I Have PTSD?
We have moved to a place where therapy is being more widely utilized, and I, for one, am so happy to see this shift!
It’s generally acceptable to see a licensed clinician following a big T trauma like rape, near death experiences, natural disasters, war, or other extreme traumatic experiences.
But what about the patterns that keep showing up in smaller ways that are affecting your relationships, everyday functioning, and overall happiness? They just might be a result of small t trauma.
Understanding "Small t" Trauma
“Small t” traumas—things like ongoing criticism, neglect, breakups, bullying, loss of an important relationship, or workplace stress—can have a big impact over time. even if they don’t seem as severe as “big T” traumas like abuse or major accidents.
How Small t Trauma Shows Up in Your Life
You might notice it affecting you if you frequently overreact to situations that seem minor, feeling intense frustration, anger, sadness, or anxiety over small conflicts or criticisms. These overreactions are likely about unprocessed earlier traumatic experiences.
Persistent anxiety or a sense of hypervigilance, like you’re always waiting for something bad to happen even when things seem fine, can also be a sign.
Relationship Patterns That Point to Deeper Wounds
Unresolved trauma also often shows up in relationships, creating patterns like fear of abandonment, difficulty trusting, or getting defensive quickly. You might also struggle to regulate your emotions, finding it hard to calm down when upset or suppressing feelings until they come out unexpectedly, like snapping at someone or crying for no clear reason. If you pay attention to the patterns in your relationships, do you tend to attract:
- Emotionally unavailable people?
- Narcissists?
- Relationships that are not reciprocal?
- Partners who need you to caretake them?
- Avoidant people?
- Angry people?
OR do you notice patterns in how you relate in your current relationships and things that tend to make you upset? Do most arguments have a flavor of:
- “I’m never your first priority!”
- “You never listen to me!”
- or “My feelings aren’t important to you!
It’s probable that there are some wounds that pre-date these relationships that are being frequently activated, and this is certainly worth exploring.
Avoidance and Emotional Numbness as Coping Mechanisms
Avoidance can be another clue—going out of your way to avoid certain people, places, or conversations because they bring up uncomfortable feelings.
Negative self-talk, such as feeling like you’re “not enough,” “too much,” or destined to fail in relationships or work, can stem from past experiences as well.
When Trauma Manifests In the Body
Physical symptoms like headaches, digestive issues, muscle tension, or trouble sleeping might also be linked to unprocessed emotional stress.
Some people experience numbness or disconnection, struggling to feel joy, connect with others, or feel fully present in their lives.
Even if your past experiences don’t seem traditionally “traumatic”, they can still shape how you respond to the world. Through our lens, trauma is any experience that is less than nurturing and leaves some wounding. Therapy can help you understand and process these patterns so they no longer have such a strong hold on you.
Why EMDR Therapy Is a Game Changer
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) therapy, in particular, is miraculous at healing all kinds of trauma. EMDR is the gold standard for the rapid resolution of trauma, helping to reprocess memories stored in the body in more adaptive ways so that these unwanted reactions can change or cease altogether.
Healing is always worth it. You don’t have to have had a cataclysmic event happen to “qualify” for treatment. If you’re seeing patterns that you don’t like, there is likely a memory attached to when that coping skill formed. Let’s heal it!
Start PTSD Treatment in Palm Beach County, FL
You don’t need to wait for a major crisis to start therapy. If you’re noticing patterns, emotional triggers, or physical symptoms that don’t seem to make sense—your story matters, and healing is possible. You can find support with the caring team of therapists at Mangrove Therapy Group by following these simple steps:
- Schedule a consultation
- Meet with a caring therapist
- Start overcoming past trauma!
Other Services Offered with Mangrove Therapy Group
PTSD treatment isn't the only service we offer. We are happy to offer support with a variety of mental health services including anxiety, EMDR, trauma, substance use disorders, eating disorders, body image issues, anger management, anxiety, low self-esteem, personality disorders, and much more. We also offer support with addictions such as process addictions, grief and loss, “Failure to Launch” syndrome, CBT, and DBT. Please feel free to learn more about how we can support you. You can start learning more by visiting our blog or FAQ page to learn more today!