Emotional trauma can be debilitating. It’s often hard to detect because it doesn’t always manifest as physical symptoms, but it nonetheless takes a high toll. Emotional trauma can even be difficult for the person experiencing it to identify. It comes from having been subject to, or witnessing, a traumatic event. It brings a deep sense of not feeling safe, an overactive nervous system, and a feeling of being powerless. In the US, 70% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime [1]. Meanwhile, 5 out of every 100 adults have posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) [2]. Trauma is real, and it has repercussions that take hold beneath the skin surface. Here, I’ll discuss what signs of emotional trauma in adults are, and when to seek professional help. What Is Emotional Trauma? Emotional trauma is the psychological and behavioral response to a traumatic event such as a car accident, childhood abuse, or the death of a family member. Research has referred to emotional trauma as being able to “induce a cascade of neurobiological events that have long-lasting consequences even altered gene expression” [3]. Emotional trauma is common after experiencing distressing events that feel out of our control. Emotional trauma is not a mental health diagnosis, but having it can increase the likelihood of developing a mental health disorder such as depression. In fact, it can make people more vulnerable to new episodes of depression, even after treatment [3]. The severity and duration of emotional trauma can vary significantly depending on the person and the traumatic event. Development process and sociocultural history are also factors [4]. What Causes Emotional Trauma? The following events are common causes of emotional trauma: Acute trauma: single events that include sexual or physical assault, a car accident, a natural disaster, and the sudden death of someone close. Chronic trauma: ongoing events that include abuse, neglect, bullying, and chronic illness. Secondary trauma: events repeatedly heard or experienced second hand, including helping survivors of war and reporting about victims of abuse. The cause of emotional trauma can influence how trauma is processed. One study suggests that acute traumatic events trigger immediate psychological responses, while long-term exposure to trauma can result in chronic biological and emotional impacts [5]. Signs of Emotional Trauma The signs of emotional trauma in adults are varied and can be subtle. Research shows that the greater the intensity or frequency of trauma, the higher the somatic symptom burden among adults [6]. For both adults and children, emotional trauma affects how the brain processes stress. However, children tend to express emotional trauma through developmental regression (such as bedwetting) and through play (such as acting out the event). Adults typically internalize trauma, which can lead to self-destructive behaviors including substance use. What Does Emotional Trauma Feel Like? Emotional trauma feels like having too little or too much emotion. Some people become emotionally numb, where they struggle to name and connect with feelings; they may find it hard to remember the traumatic event. Others feel overwhelmed by feelings and like it’s impossible to escape the event. The overarching sensation with emotional trauma is not feeling safe, which can mean being stuck in ‘flight or fight mode’ where noises, movements or contextual changes make a person jump or their heart race faster. They may also pay extreme attention to the details of situations, automatically scanning for possible threats. The person may not consciously know that they do this, as it’s become a learned coping mechanism. They may feel constantly tired from the energy required to stay so alert all the time. Other people may have flashbacks or intrusive thoughts that feel like they are forced to relive the trauma. They may feel unable to detach from what happened, and unable to control how they respond to it. Physical symptoms like muscle tension, headaches, and digestive issues also might feel like an intrusion of the trauma in the body. Emotional trauma, whether experienced quietly in the background or as a front-of-mind weight, tends to negatively affect how people view themselves and their ability to trust people. Can Emotional Trauma Be Treated? Emotional trauma can cause mental health disorders that are treatable. In particular, evidence-based therapies such as Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT), Prolonged Exposure (PE), Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), and somatic therapies help. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) is talk therapy that helps identify and reframe negative thought patterns, and supports people to gradually process traumatic memories.EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) is bilateral stimulation (guided eye movements) that puts the brain into a state where it’s easier to process memories around trauma and reduce emotional distress.Prolonged Exposure is a therapy to slowly help people approach trauma-related memories and subsequent phobias or avoidant behaviors that have developed.Somatic therapies are body-based approaches to care, such as Somatic Experiencing or Dance and Movement Therapy (DMT), that explore and relieve how trauma is stored in the nervous system. These therapies, combined with other psychological interventions, have been proven to reduce symptoms and maintain stable symptoms for 12 months after treatment [7]. Trauma-Informed Care For Adults at Serenity Now, Davis, CA We offer residential treatment for mental health disorders as a result of emotional trauma. All our care is professional, empathetic, and tailored to you based on your experiences and the intensity of your symptoms. Our team of licensed clinicians delivers evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), medication management, and wellness activities such as yoga and meditation. We’re committed to giving comprehensive care that helps you feel whole again. Our center in Davis is a calm environment where you can recover and reconnect with the healthiest version of yourself. We have 24/7 supervision to keep you safe and comfortable, but we also help you develop the tools to live with confidence and high self-esteem. You deserve serenity. Start healing today. Contact our admissions team. Sources [1] The National Council for Mental Wellbeing. (August 2022) How to Manage Trauma. thenationalcouncil.org [2] US Department of Veteran Affairs. (March 2025). PTSD: