Trauma consequences can show in many different ways.
Here, we have written down feelings and sensations
which may have to do with trauma.
People can also have these feelings
and body reactions without trauma.
Information about trauma
For example, this means:
Just because I am often very angry
does not mean I have experienced trauma.
But:
Very strong feelings and bodily sensations
may be trauma consequences.

Trauma consequences exist in different areas:
In feelings, thoughts, in the body or even in behaviour.

For example:

• Fear of seeing the person again who acted violently against me.
• Fear of people who look like the person who acted violently against me.
• Fear of someone who looks at me strangely in the street.

For example:

• I get annoyed with people around me very often.
• I often want to scream and say swear words and I'm not sure why.
• I hurt myself. For example, cutting myself, pulling out my hair, or hitting myself.

For example:

• I sometimes think it's my own fault that I had bad experiences.
• I am afraid of the way other people look at me. I sometimes think that others think badly of me.
• I sometimes think that I am worth less than other people.
• Sometimes I feel ashamed. Then it is difficult for me to look others in the eye. I would like to hide.
• I am often afraid that others will laugh at me.
• I sometimes think that everyone else is more beautiful, more clever, or better than me.

I suddenly think differently about other people.

For example:

• I have an argument with a carer*.
  After the argument I think to myself:
  “All carers* are mean. No one is fair to me.
  I don't see the nice carers* at all.”

I suddenly think differently about myself.

For example:

• I am helpless and vulnerable.
  I can't do anything on my own.
  I don't see my strengths and my power anymore.
• I am worse than all other people.
  I have lost my self-esteem.
• I've always been treated badly.
  It's normal for me.

I suddenly think differently about the world.

For example:

• The world is dangerous.
  I don't feel safe anywhere.
• The whole world is against me.
  Bad things always happen to me.

For example:

• I often get very upset.
  And I lose control.
  Sometimes I just scream.
  Or I suddenly have to laugh out loud.
• I am aggressive towards myself.
  Or I'm aggressive towards other people.
  I break my furniture.
  I bang my head against the wall.
  I cut myself.
  I get very angry over little things.
• I neglect myself.
  For example:
  I don't like taking a shower anymore.
  Or I don't put on fresh clothes.
• I drink too much alcohol.
• I take drugs.
• I eat way too much.
  Or I eat way too little.
  Sometimes I vomit after eating to get it all out.
  Those are called eating disorders.
• Everyday life becomes very difficult.
  Suddenly, things that were no problem before
  no longer work out.

For example:

• I have headaches very often.
• I think I'm standing next to myself.
  And I am watching myself.
  I'm not even in my body anymore.
• My heart is often racing or beating wildly.
  My chest feels tight, as if a stone is lying on it.
  Then I am afraid that I will die.
  We also call this a panic attack.