If you have suffered through a traumatic event, you still may be haunted by disturbing emotions, scary memories, or a feeling of persistent danger that you are unable to lose. You may also have a sense of desensitization, detachment, and feel that others are untrustworthy. Through extensive therapy and support, it is entirely possible to heal and continue on, overcoming psychological and emotional trauma by putting it behind you for good.

Emotional trauma is caused by exceptionally stressful experiences that destroy your sense of security, contributing to a feeling of helplessness and vulnerability in a treacherous environment. Traumatic situations, such as domestic violence or sexual abuse, are usually comprised of a threat to one's wellbeing. However, any event that makes you feel terrified and isolated can be viewed as traumatic, even if the victim is not injured physically. Incidents concerning infidelity, verbal disparagement or abuse, or any other significant loss can be equally as traumatizing as a life-threatening disaster, especially in childhood trauma. Many people who experience emotional trauma develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

Common types of emotional and psychological trauma include:

While each trauma victim may suffer different symptoms after a stressful event, common emotional trauma symptoms including shock, denial, anxiety, self-blame, guilt, withdrawal, and irritability, among others. Physical trauma symptoms include insomnia, nightmares, fatigue, agitation, aches and a racing heartbeat.

Emotional trauma victims should seek professional help from an experienced psychologist. Cognitive behavioral therapy has been known to significantly help treat trauma victims. It may also be important to follow trauma recovery tips and coping strategies including asking for help and support, avoiding isolation, establishing a daily routine and managing your health.

Regardless of whether the threat is physical or mental, psychological trauma exists when an event is so overbearing that it puts your life at a standstill and leaves you a state of denial. Although this natural reaction shields you from the horror, it also will not allow you to get on with your normal life. You may be disconnected from these traumatic feelings, but you won't entirely escape them. They will remain in your subconscious, impacting how you view the world around you, respond to daily situations, and how you deal with others.