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Trauma affects each of us in different ways, and there is no right or typical path of someone that has experienced it. However, some unusual traits and habits traumatized people share.

Those who have experienced trauma earlier on are different from those who have not. And while it may be hard, not to- it’s better not to compare yourself to others. With that being said, if you experienced trauma during childhood, then you will probably resonate with the following things.

1. You lose your ability to trust.

Even as an adult, years down the line, trauma rewires the brain to be distrustful of others. Since childhood is a formative time for all of us, it only makes sense that when someone hurts you early on, it will be harder later in life to trust others.

2. You have flashbacks.

Trauma is difficult- and one of the more difficult things is even after experiencing trauma, victims of it often relive the traumas of their past. Even harder is the fact that small things can trigger a flashback, such as familiar smells, seeing people who look like your abuser, or being in a place that reminds you of it.

3. Low self-esteem.

After trauma, you may be left with a feeling that you are unworthy of happiness, or that you are flawed in some way. This couldn’t be further from the truth, but trauma can cause you to begin to struggle with your self-worth.

4. Heightened stress responses.

For some, stress is manageable, but for those of us who have endured trauma, difficult emotions can put us right back amid our trauma. Conflict in the slightest becomes hard to deal with, and when things go wrong, it may feel like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

5. Poor coping skills.

Those who have been abused have a much higher risk of developing addictions to food, dr*gs, $ex, and alc0hol. This is thought to be a coping skill, and there are other poor coping skills as well, such as avoidance of connection, running away or taking flight under distress, or self-sabotage due to feeling like nothing good will ever happen.

If you or someone you know is dealing with unresolved trauma, it can be difficult. Don’t go about it alone. Therapy can be extremely beneficial and can help you to cope the right way with what you are going through.