The Unseen Impact of Trauma
Trauma doesn’t always come from one dramatic event. Sometimes, it builds quietly — through years of rejection, emotional neglect, loss, abuse, or fear. These experiences overwhelm the nervous system, leaving emotional scars that don’t always heal on their own.
When the body holds onto trauma, it begins to influence how we think, feel, and react to life. Many people living with depression, anxiety, or self-harming behaviours are not broken — they are carrying unprocessed pain from experiences that felt too big to face at the time.
What Happens in the Brain During Trauma
During a traumatic event, the brain’s survival centre (the amygdala) goes into overdrive while the rational part (the prefrontal cortex) shuts down. This “fight, flight, or freeze” response is meant to protect you — but when it doesn’t switch off properly, the nervous system can get stuck in survival mode.
That’s when symptoms like hypervigilance, emotional numbness, nightmares, and panic attacks begin to surface.
How Trauma Leads to Depression and Anxiety
Depression and anxiety are often two sides of the same coin. Both are emotional responses to trauma — one internalises the pain, while the other anticipates it.
• Depression says, “I’m exhausted. I can’t keep going.” It’s the body’s way of shutting down when emotions feel too heavy to process.
• Anxiety says, “I can’t let my guard down.” It keeps the body in a constant state of alertness to prevent further harm.
Over time, both states become mentally and physically draining. People may lose motivation, struggle with concentration, or experience sleep problems and physical tension. These are not signs of weakness — they are signs of an overwhelmed nervous system trying to cope.
Common Signs of Trauma-Related Depression and Anxiety
• Persistent sadness or emotional numbness
• Racing thoughts and constant worry
• Difficulty sleeping or frequent nightmares
• Withdrawal from others or loss of interest in things once enjoyed
• Feeling “on edge” or easily startled
• A sense of hopelessness or emptiness
If several of these feel familiar, it may be time to explore how trauma could be influencing your emotional health.
Understanding Self-Harm Through a Compassionate Lens
Self-harm is one of the most misunderstood coping mechanisms linked to trauma and emotional pain. It’s not about seeking attention — it’s about seeking relief.
For many, physical pain feels easier to manage than emotional pain. Self-harm can provide a brief sense of control or release when emotions become too intense or when numbness makes it hard to feel anything at all.
As a trauma coach and counsellor, I often remind clients: self-harm is not the problem — it’s a signal of deeper distress. Healing begins not by shaming the behaviour, but by understanding what emotional need it’s trying to meet.
There Is Always Hope
Even when it feels impossible, healing from self-harm and trauma is entirely possible with the right support. Learning emotional regulation, grounding techniques, and trauma processing tools can help the body and mind find safety again.
The Journey Toward Healing
Healing from trauma is not about forgetting the past — it’s about reclaiming your sense of safety, identity, and peace.
As a trauma and life coach, I use approaches such as:
• The Rewind Technique – a gentle method to process and neutralise traumatic memories without reliving them.
• Faith-based reflection – combining psychological healing with spiritual grounding for those who value Christian-based support.
• Somatic grounding and breathing techniques – helping the body release stored tension and restore calm.
• Cognitive reframing and journaling exercises – to reshape negative thinking patterns and foster emotional growth.
Healing takes time, but every step forward counts. You don’t have to face it alone — and you are never beyond help.
A Message of Hope
If you are living with depression, anxiety, or self-harming behaviours, please know: these are not your identity. They are symptoms of pain that can be healed. With compassion, support, and faith, transformation is possible.
You are not too broken. You are healing.
And your story still matters.
Get Support
If you’re ready to begin your healing journey, I offer online trauma therapy and life coaching sessions to help you find peace, balance, and hope again.
Book a confidential session today and take your first step toward freedom.