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Symptoms
of Trauma
According to Dr. Peter Levine, "the
nervous system compensates for being in a state of self-perpetuating arousal
by setting up a chain of adaptations that eventually bind and organize the
energy into 'symptoms.' These adaptations function as a safety valve to the
nervous system. The first symptoms of trauma usually appear shortly after the
event that engendered them. Others will develop over time."
Following are groups of symptoms that tend
to show up in the following order. This is however a generalization. Symptoms
in the second group may well show up in the first stages. Symptoms in the
second group may also show up along with symptoms in the third group, etc.
Some symptoms could well be included in all lists. There is no fixed rule
that determines which symptom the organism will chose to enlist, or when it
will choose to enlist it.
According to Dr. Levine, "not all of
these symptoms are caused exclusively by trauma, nor has everyone who
exhibits one or more of these symptoms been traumatized. The flu, for
instance, can cause malaise and abdominal discomfort that is similar to
trauma symptoms. However, there is a difference; symptoms produced by the flu
generally go away in a few days. Those produced by trauma do not. The
symptoms of trauma can be stable (ever-present), unstable (will come and go),
or they can hide for decades. Generally, these symptoms do not occur
individually, but in constellations. "
Group I
- Hyperarousal
- Constriction
- Dissociation (including denial)
- Feelings of Helplessness
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Group II
- Hypervigilance (being "on guard"
at all times)
- Intrusive imagery or flashbacks
- Extreme Sensitivity to light and sound
- Hyperactivity
- Exaggerated emotional and startle responses
- Nightmares and night terrors
- Abrupt mood swings: e.g., rage reactions or
temper tantrums
- Reduced ability to deal with stress (easily
and frequently stressed out)
- Difficulty Sleeping
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Group III
- Panic Attacks, anxiety, and phobias
- Mental "blankness" or
"spaciness"
- Exaggerated startle response
- Avoidance behavior (avoiding certain
circumstances)
- Attraction to dangerous situations
- Frequent Crying
- Exaggerated or diminished sexual activity
- Amnesia and forgetfulness
- Inability to love, nurture, or bond with
other individuals
- Fear of dying, going crazy, or having a
shortened life
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Group IV
- Excessive Shyness
- Muted or diminished emotional responses
- Inability to make commitments
- Chronic fatigue or very low physical energy
- Immune system problems and certain endocrine
problems such as thyroid dysfunction
- Psychosomatic illness, particularly
headaches, neck and back problems, asthma, digestive, spastic colon,
and severe premenstrual syndrome
- Feelings of detachment, alienation, and
isolation --- "living dead"
- Diminished interest in life
- Feelings and behaviors of helplessness
- Reduced ability to formulate plans
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