Understanding how traumatic experiences can affect us

Have you ever felt as though you are permanently in fight, flight or freeze?
 

When we experience something frightening, overwhelming or traumatic, our nervous system can respond by putting us into a state of protection. These responses are natural and designed to help keep us safe when we perceive danger.

Sometimes, however, the event has passed but our body and mind continue to respond as though we are still under threat.
 

You might feel anxious, constantly on edge, restless, angry, panicky or overwhelmed. You may struggle to relax or sleep, find it difficult to concentrate, or notice that things which once felt manageable now feel much harder.

You may not always connect these feelings with something that happened in the past.
 

Trauma doesn't always feel like trauma

Trauma affects everyone differently. You don't necessarily have to think of yourself as having experienced "trauma" to be affected by something that has happened to you.
 

You might find that you:

• feel unable to switch off or relax

• become anxious, panicky or easily overwhelmed

• feel angry or irritable

• avoid certain people, places or situations

• struggle to trust others

• feel numb, disconnected or emotionally shut down

• experience difficult thoughts or memories

• find it harder to sleep or concentrate
   

You may understand that you are safe now, while another part of you continues to feel that something isn't right.

This can be confusing and exhausting.
 

Fight, flight and freeze

Our survival responses can look different for everyone. Fight might involve anger, frustration or feeling the need to control what is happening around you. Flight might involve anxiety, restlessness, avoidance or feeling that you need to escape. Freeze might involve feeling unable to act, emotionally numb or disconnected. You may also move between these responses depending on what is happening.
 

Understanding these reactions can sometimes help make sense of feelings or behaviours that have previously been difficult to understand.
 

How trauma can affect everyday life

Trauma can affect more than how we feel emotionally. It can influence our relationships, confidence, boundaries, sleep and the way we respond to everyday situations. You may find yourself reacting strongly to something that seems small, or avoiding situations because they bring up feelings that are difficult to manage. These responses don't mean there is something wrong with you. They may have developed as ways of protecting you during experiences when you didn't feel safe.
 

Trauma can follow a single overwhelming experience, but it can also develop through repeated experiences such as abuse, neglect, difficult relationships or prolonged periods of feeling unsafe.
 

How trauma counselling can help

Trauma counselling can offer a safe and supportive space to begin understanding what has happened and how it may still be affecting you.
 

You don't have to talk about everything before you are ready. We can explore what you are experiencing now, how past experiences may be influencing you, and ways of developing a greater sense of understanding and safety.
 

My approach is compassionate and non-judgemental. There is no expectation that you should simply "move on" or cope in a particular way.
 

Trauma counselling in St Neots and online

I offer trauma counselling in St Neots, as well as online counselling for clients across the UK.
 

You may be looking for support because of something that happened recently, or because something from your past continues to affect you. You don't need to know exactly what you need help with before getting in touch.
 

If you're unsure whether counselling is right for you, you are welcome to contact me for an initial conversation. We can talk about what you're experiencing and whether I might be the right person to support you.
 

You don't have to work through it alone.

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If you identify with this, please get in touch. 

sarahharrisoncounselling@gmail.com

07395 826987

St Neots Counselling​​​​

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