As of 2020, nearly 53 million people in the United States were living with a mental illness.
Since then, mental illness issues have increased and are affecting people of all ages.
If you or someone you love is struggling, you should know about the red flags to watch for.
Keep reading if you want to learn about some of the most obvious symptoms of trauma that adults may experience!
Frequent Mood Swings
One of the most common symptoms of trauma that adults notice is frequent mood swings.
Mood swings are often a sign of emotional trauma and can be difficult to manage. Many people have certain triggers that can alter their mood without them even noticing. Since mood swings can make it difficult to maintain a job or relationships, these people are often unhappy.
The best ways to manage mood swings are by confronting emotions and learning coping mechanisms.
Inability to Concentrate
It’s becoming more common for adults to get diagnosed with ADHD, however, trauma might be the root of the problem.
Anxiety and depression can make it feel impossible to absorb new information and have the interest to learn. When someone is used to being in survival mode, they need to limit what they concentrate on, and it often isn’t through work.
People that survive traumatic events and deal with PTSD might have an even more challenging time concentrating. Intrusive thoughts, memories, and images can stop adults in their tracks.
Nightmares
The symptoms of PTSD and other mental disorders can be difficult to spot since they can occur at night.
Many people that have suffered from trauma experience nightmares and night terrors that can impact their health. If you deal with constant nightmares, you might want to contact Better Balance Psychiatry for help. Talking to a psychiatrist can help you navigate previous trauma that is still impacting your life.
Memory Issues
When people are constantly in fight or flight mode, their minds can’t function properly.
Mental illness has proven to impact people’s memory and people have seen the changes occur overnight. Depending on the severity of the trauma, it is often found out that people regress memories to protect themselves.
If you have gaps in life that you can’t recall, you may need to consider unpacking that time. Try using a journal and lists to improve your memory.
Isolation
Are you skipping events with family and friends to stay at home and be alone?
Isolation is a common sign that an adult is suffering from a traumatic experience. When people isolate themselves, however, they can become more depressed and feel like they don’t have support.
Try to pull yourself out of the house, even for a small walk. Surrounding yourself with others can be uplifting, just monitor your environment.
Can You Spot the Symptoms of Trauma?
Learning about the symptoms of trauma can help you save yourself or someone that you care about.
Adults walk around life thinking that they must always have it together, and they often don’t ask for help. Trauma can manifest in many ways and some people may show visible signs of it while others only let it out in their sleep.
Take time to understand these symptoms and the mental issues that they are associated with.
Be sure to check out our site for more information regarding mental health and getting professional therapy!
