7 Facts About Trauma You May Not Know from a Trauma Therapist

Nowadays with Tiktok and social media, the internet is full of misinformation about trauma, mental health, and therapy. 

Just this morning, I came across a video about “quiet BPD warning signs” from a creator saying that “people-pleasing” and “feeling second to others” are ~quiet warning signs~ of borderline personality disorder. This information was false, and as expected, the creator was not a licensed therapist.

Videos like this can be confusing, misleading, and harmful. A lot of times, the videos are engaging with intriguing captions that hook you, and the creators appear confident and reputable. However, after some digging, you may realize they don’t have a masters degree in psychology, counseling, or therapy, and they are not licensed therapists. 

More and more, people are turning to social media for mental health support and advice, however research shows most influencers are spreading misinformation about mental health. It’s so important to think critically about the information you come across online and check the source before you accept it as truth.

Hi! I’m Sasha Merheb, a licensed therapist in Tampa, FL that specializes in anxiety and trauma. To combat some of the misinformation online, I wanted to share some interesting, ACTUAL facts about trauma as a licensed therapist that specializes in it.

1. An event becomes traumatic because it overwhelms the brain’s capacity to cope. Some examples of trauma are car accidents, emotional abuse, neglect, physical abuse, sexual assault/abuse, bullying, racism and discrimination, generational trauma, loss of a loved one, natural disasters, divorce, growing up in a household with substance abuse or mental illness, and domestic violence.

2. Trauma can affect your view of yourself, others, and the world. Trauma can lead to distorted beliefs about yourself such as "I'm unlovable" or "Im not good enough."

3. Trauma is a disease of the whole body. The more trauma you have, the more likely it is for you to have a chronic disease.

   

   1. The more trauma you have, the more likely you are to be a smoker, obese, chronically depressed, or have attempted suicide.

   2. *If you have no trauma, you are very unlikely to be suicidal.

4. When you're traumatized, it's really hard to be you and be with yourself.

5. Oftentimes, trauma is not remembered as a story, but as emotions and sensations in the body.

6. Traumatized people have difficulty filtering things out, and they can have a hard time focusing and get distracted easily.

   1. The overlap of ADHD symptoms and trauma symptoms can lead to people with trauma being misdiagnosed with ADHD. However, ADHD and trauma can also be co-occuring, so some people may have both. This is why it is so important to get tested by a psychologist trained in assessment for an ADHD diagnosis.

7. Researchers previously believed that traumatized people have high levels of cortisol, however it was recently discovered that they have chronic, low levels of cortisol in the bloodstream. This results in a feeling of being constantly anxious/on edge and fatigued.

Overall, trauma and people are complex. If left untreated, trauma can have extensive, harmful effects on the nervous system, mind, and body. It can impact how you think, feel, connect with others, and respond to everyday situations, sometimes even long after the trauma has ended. If you're struggling with the effects of trauma, know that healing is possible. With the support of a licensed therapist, you can process what you've been through, reclaim your sense of self, and take back your life.

Hi, I'm Sasha Merheb! I'm a licensed therapist in Tampa, FL. As a trauma therapist, I've supported many clients in processing their trauma, unlearning old patterns, begin listening to their needs , and practicing compassion for themselves. In therapy, you can finally slow down, get the support you've always needed, and learn how to provide that same care to yourself. If you're ready to make a change, feel free to fill out the contact form or send me a text/give me a call at (352) 649-3876. I'd love to hear from you!