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how trauma impacts mental health

how trauma impacts mental health

trauma can have long-lasting effects on both mental and physical health, shaping how individuals think, feel and respond to the world around them

Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing or disturbing event. It can be caused by a variety of experiences, including accidents, abuse, violence or natural disasters. While everyone responds to traumatic events differently, trauma often leaves lasting emotional scars.

In the UK, around 3 in 10 young people have experienced trauma, with 8% going on to receive a diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by the time they turn 18 years old [The Lancet].

The effects of trauma can be wide-ranging, impacting a person’s mental and physical health. Traumatic experiences can lead to conditions such as anxiety, depression and PTSD. It can also affect relationships, work and everyday life, with survivors often feeling isolated or disconnected from others. Understanding trauma and its impact is crucial to supporting recovery and promoting mental wellbeing.

common myths about trauma

only major events cause trauma

Trauma is not always the result of catastrophic events. It may happen indirectly, through learning about trauma experienced by others (e.g., partners of combat soldiers), one’s work (e.g., mental health professionals) or exposure through media coverage.

time heals all wounds

Simply waiting for trauma to pass may not be enough for many people. While some may naturally heal over time, others need professional support to address the deep-rooted impact that trauma has on their life.

certain types of trauma are more damaging than others

All types of trauma can have long-lasting effects, and people may experience a range of symptoms. It affects everyone differently, so it is important not to compare experiences or assume that one person’s trauma is more or less valid than someone else’s.

what is trauma? 

Trauma is an emotional and psychological response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event. Traumatic events can include incidents such as:

  • Car accidents
  • The sudden death of a loved one
  • Medical emergencies
  • Poverty or financial hardship
  • Racism, discrimination and bullying
  • Extreme situations like war, terrorist attacks, rape or other violent assaults.

Trauma can be categorised into three types:

1. Acute: Results from a single, time-limited event (e.g., an accident or assault) and typically triggers a short-term ‘fight-or-flight’ stress response.

2. Chronic: Involves repeated or prolonged exposure to distressing events, often leading to lasting negative effects on both physical and mental health.

3. Complex: Arises from sustained and repeated interpersonal trauma, especially during childhood (e.g., abuse or neglect). This can result in profound and long-lasting impacts on emotional, cognitive and physical wellbeing.

According to the World Health Organisation, approximately 70% of individuals across the globe have experienced at least one major traumatic event, such as physical violence, sexual abuse or exposure to war [WHO].

While not everyone who experiences trauma develops a long-term mental health conditions like PTSD, trauma exposure significantly increases the risk for a range of mental and physical health challenges.

Many individuals may carry trauma. That especially includes those with severe mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia, bipolar or schizoaffective disorder, which are frequently linked to early childhood trauma.

how does trauma impact mental health? 

Depression and anxiety:

Young people exposed to trauma are up to three times more likely to develop depression. It is also a known risk factor for anxiety [npj Mental Health Research].

PTSD and complex PTSD (CPTSD):

A minority of trauma-exposed individuals go on to develop PTSD, which involves symptoms such as re-experiencing the negative event, avoidance, hyperarousal and emotional numbing. CPTSD includes all PTSD symptoms, along with disturbances in self-organisation: negative self-concept, difficulties in emotional regulation and difficulties in relationships and trust. 

Substance use and behavioural addictions:

People may turn to alcohol, drugs, nicotine or behavioural addictions (e.g., gambling or pornography) as a coping strategy. While this may provide temporary relief, it often leads to dependency. Research confirms a strong link between both direct and indirect trauma exposure and increased risk of addiction [Addictive Behaviors]. 

Physical health effects:

Trauma can express itself through physical symptoms such as chronic pain, headaches, gastrointestinal issues, sleep problems and fatigue. Prolonged stress from trauma can impact cardiovascular health, immune system response and even brain structure and cognitive functioning.

How do I support someone impacted by trauma?

If you or someone you know has been affected by trauma, there are several ways to start the recovery process:

Seek professional support:

Speaking to a practitioner trained in trauma-informed care can help you to process your trauma and find ways to cope. They may suggest talking therapies, such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT} eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR), which are evidence-based interventions that can help.

At Change Mental Health, we run the Signature Project, a support service for men (16+) who have experienced trauma or live with PTSD in Edinburgh. The service provides one-to-one sessions, stress management and peer support groups. The service aims to create a safe and non-judgmental environment where men can connect and communicate with one another.

The Signature Project accepts both agency and self-referrals and can be contacted on 0131 6086 389 or by email at signature@changemh.org.

“I feel in a way that the Peer Support Group has been a huge support for me. I feel like I have less of a need for one-to-one support because I’m finding, at this point now in my journey, much more energy and positivity from my engagement with Change Mental Health that’s allowing me to experience myself in a new way.

“I’ve learned that I have a lot to offer men who are on a similar journey to me and that is immensely healing as well.” 

Antony reflects on the support he received from the Signature Project for his PTSD. Read his story here.

Photo of Antony, who was supported by the Signature Project

Make time for self-care

Be kind to yourself and remember that everyone’s experience of recovering from trauma is different. Taking time to reflect on your thoughts and feelings through writing or journalling can help you make sense of your experiences and emotions. Mindfulness and relaxation exercises, such as grounding techniques, can also help reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and bring a sense of calm.

Establish healthy routines

Trauma can disrupt everyday routines. Creating regular habits around sleep, meals, physical activity and relaxation can provide a sense of stability, helping you feel more grounded and in control of how you feel.

support

Our National Advice and Support Service can help you and people you care for with mental health concerns and money worries.

We can link and signpost you to relevant local and national support, including our own Change Mental Health services, as well as supporting with debt, grants and benefits.

The service is open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch between 12.30pm to 1.30pm). Contact 0808 8010 515, email advice@changemh.org or fill in the form on the service webpage.

For full details about the service, visit the National Advice and Support Service webpage.

other support