When Feeling Stuck Becomes Trauma
When Does Feeling Off Become Trauma?
We all feel like something’s missing sometimes, but what happens when that feeling doesn’t go away? This is when lack turns into trauma. Trauma isn’t just about big life events like accidents or loss—it’s about our nervous system getting stuck in survival mode (Levine, 2010).
The Body’s Stress Cycle
Normally, when we face something stressful, our brain and body go through a process:
We notice something new (a sound, a situation).
We check if it’s safe.
If it’s fine, we move on.
If it’s a threat, we react (fight, flight, or freeze).
Once the threat is gone, we relax and return to normal.
But if this process gets interrupted—like in a traumatic event—the nervous system doesn’t fully reset. This leaves us stuck in a state of stress, even when the danger is gone (Levine, 2010).
How Trauma Hijacks Our Emotions
When we can’t resolve a stressful experience, our brain starts using coping mechanisms to distract us from discomfort. Instead of dealing with the real issue, we might:
Overwork to avoid feeling empty.
Use social media, alcohol, or food to numb emotions.
Stay constantly busy so we don’t have time to think about our pain.
Over time, these patterns become habits. They don’t fix the issue—they just keep us from facing it.
References
Levine, P. (2010). In an Unspoken Voice: How the Body Releases Trauma and Restores Goodness.