By Roujda Mekael ’27
Physical trauma can lead to and influence the development of mental and emotional struggles over time. The effects of trauma can manifest as mental health struggles, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The connection between the body and mind is complex, as physical trauma not only affects the body but can also alter emotional and psychological well-being. Conditions like depression and post-traumatic stress can lead to emotional struggles. Some treatments are to get moving, not to isolate yourself, and self-regulate your nervous system.
Physical trauma can significantly affect the mind, leaving long-lasting emotional and psychological scars. For instance, Jaffe claimed, “Experiencing trauma in childhood can result in a severe and long-lasting effect. When childhood trauma is not resolved, a sense of fear and helplessness carries over into adulthood, setting the stage for further trauma. However, even if your trauma happened many years ago, there are steps you can take to overcome the pain, learn to trust and connect to others again, and regain your sense of emotional balance” (Jaffe). These emotions can mess with someone’s ability to connect with others, making it harder to regain trust.
However, even if trauma occurred many years ago, you can be healed. You can start off by learning to trust again and seeking support from others. According to Antonopoulos, “Although reactions range in severity, even the most acute responses are natural responses to manage trauma— they are not a sign of psychopathology” (Antonopoulos). Coping styles vary from action-oriented to reflective and from emotionally expressive to reticent. Clinically, a response style is less important than the degree to which coping efforts successfully allow one to continue necessary activities, regulate emotions, sustain self-esteem, and maintain and enjoy interpersonal contacts” (Antonopoulos). This quote emphasizes the responses individuals have to trauma. It acknowledges that people cope with trauma in different ways. Trauma can affect mental health, but it is different for each person.
Another quote from Antonopoulos that connects to trauma affecting mental health is, “Indeed, a past error in traumatic stress psychology, particularly regarding group or mass traumas, was the assumption that all survivors need to express emotions associated with trauma and talk about the trauma; more recent research indicates that survivors who choose not to process their trauma are just as psychologically healthy as those who do. The most recent psychological debriefing approaches emphasize respecting the individual’s style of coping and not valuing one type over another” (Antonopoulos). This shows that coping with trauma will take some time and effort for it to be effective. Based on your trauma, you can start whenever you feel comfortable; you shouldn’t force yourself into something that isn’t making you feel healthier.
Treatments and solutions for trauma often involve strategies that promote self-awareness, emotional regulation, and mindfulness. One effective solution is incorporating mindfulness into physical activities. Jaffe explains, “Add a mindfulness element. Instead of focusing on your thoughts or distracting yourself while you exercise, really focus on your body and how it feels as you move. Notice the sensation of your feet hitting the ground, for example, or the rhythm of your breathing, or the feeling of wind on your skin. Rock climbing, boxing, weight training, or martial arts can make this easier—after all, you need to focus on your body movements during these activities in order to avoid injury” (Jaffe). Activities such as rock climbing, playing sports, going to the gym, or riding your bike can help individuals, which not only helps their anxiety, but also promotes a deeper connection to the world. Mindful physical exercise can reduce the overwhelming effects of trauma.
In addition to mindfulness practices, CSDT states, “Constructivist Self-Development Theory (CSDT) is founded upon the constructivist view of trauma. CSDT proposes that individuals’ construct their own realities, as they live and interact with the world (McCann & Pearlman, 199). As such, the theory describes the impact of trauma to be experienced within the individuals’ development of the self (Saakvitnee, Tennen, & Affleck, Citation1998)” (Stuart). This theory shows that healing from trauma involves reshaping one’s identity and one’s interactions with the world around them. Interacting with the world around them will keep their mind off things, and try to live past the trauma. Furthermore, Jaffe states, “No matter how agitated, anxious, or out of control you feel, it’s important to know that you can change your arousal system and calm yourself. Not only will it help relieve the anxiety associated with trauma, but it will also engender a greater sense of control” (Jaffe). These treatments; mindfulness practices and strategies, help individuals rebuild their sense of self and manage the emotional aftermath of trauma.
Emotional outcomes after traumatic injury are deeply affected by long-term psychological stress. For example, Robinson stated, “The Short-Form-36 was used to determine overall quality of life at 1 month, 2 months, 4 months, and 12 months. Screens for depression and posttraumatic stress syndrome were administered. The primary outcome was any financial toxicity” (Robinson). Adding on to Robinson’s study, “Five hundred patients were enrolled, and 88% suffered financial toxicity during the year following injury (64% reduced income, 58% unemployment, 85% experienced stress due to financial burden). Financial toxicity remained stable over follow-up (80–85%). Factors independently associated with financial toxicity were lower age (odds ratio [OR], 0.96 [0.94–0.98]), lack of health insurance (OR, 0.28 [0.14–0.56]), and larger household size (OR, 1.37 [1.06–1.77])” (Robinson). Robinson’s study provides strong evidence that emotional trauma after traumatic injury is closely tied to long-term financial and psychological stress. This shows that the emotional trauma of financial stress stays for months, which keeps people trapped with anxiety, fear, and uncertainty even after the trauma itself.
But emotional trauma isn’t only limited to injury survivors. Murphy stated that, “Trauma in the pre-settlement period is an important factor in refugee mental health. Previous work in this area has found that it is a common and reliable predictor of elevated psychological distress even after permanent resettlement (e.g., Li and Anderson, 2016; Torres and Wallace, 2013). In one long-term assessment of resettled refugees in Australia, the impact of pre-settlement trauma on mental health dissipated over time but remained an important predictor 10 years post-settlement” (Murphy). This proves that emotional damage from physical trauma can last for years, even when someone’s physical safety is no longer at risk. All these studies show that emotional recovery isn’t just about healing the body, it also requires mental health support. Without mental support, many trauma survivors face emotional consequences.
Some argue that physical trauma does not affect mental or emotional trauma. Some claim that people who experience physical trauma need to “toughen up” and get over it, and that mental illness is a “disease in your head”. But this way of thinking is very outdated. In the past, mental illness was often shown off as a supernatural cause like demonic possession, leading to treatment methods like exorcism. Religious beliefs have sometimes played a role in stigma, associating mental illness with sin or punishment. While physical trauma heals over time, the emotional suffering following trauma is a mental “disease” and some ignore the real physiological and emotional effects of trauma on the brain. Studies show that the brain experiences emotional trauma, it triggers amygdala and hippocampus. According to The Arc, “The second area of the brain that is impacted is called the hippocampus. This area of the brain aids in learning and memory. Studies have shown that people who have experienced traumatic events may have a smaller hippocampus than those who haven’t. Research has shown that this may be due to hormones that are released when someone experiences frequent, high levels of stress. Prolonged exposure to these hormones can damage or destroy cells in the hippocampus. People with PTSD may have a hard time forming memories, but may have vivid memories of the trauma they have experienced. Situations that remind people of their trauma can cause feelings of extreme panic and fear” (The Arc). This proves that there are consequences of physical trauma, whether you believe it or not.
Physical trauma doesn’t only leave physical scars — it can lead to serious emotional and mental challenges like depression and PTSD. Everyone copes differently, and healing looks different for each person. Some may talk about their trauma, others find other way to stay active, connecting with others, or practicing mindfulness. Over time, with the right support and coping methods, it is possible to manage the effects of trauma and improve your well-being.
Works Cited
Antonopoulos, Georgios. “Trauma among children and legal implications.” Trauma among children and legal implications, 2 October 2018, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311886.2018.1546791#abstract. Accessed 30 April 2025.
Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. “Understanding the Impact of Trauma – Trauma-Informed Care in Behavioral Health Services – NCBI Bookshelf.” NCBI, 2014, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK207191/. Accessed 12 May 2025.
Jaffe, Jaelline. “Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Causes, Symptoms, Effects, and Treatment.” Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Causes, Symptoms, Effects, and Treatment, 16 September 2005, https://d1wqtxts1xzle7.cloudfront.net/46990505/Trauma-libre.pdf?1467606431=&response-content-disposition=inline%3B+filename%3DTrauma.pdf&Expires=1745947046&Signature=CRU0fKwD4C~rsApiSSbF2VUUSn07QmSF2vndarxUiGWzPznkIuejPSl~-XvbxcKa1e1hqIESfs6nQWrsMRZlt16pVA. Accessed 29 April 2025.
Murphy. “Financial toxicity is associated with worse physical and emotional long-term outcomes after traumatic injury.” Abstract, November 2019, https://journals.lww.com/jtrauma/abstract/2019/11000/financial_toxicity_is_associated_with_worse.25.aspx. Accessed 30 April 2025.
Robinson, Lawrence. “Emotional and Psychological Trauma.” What is emotional and psychological trauma?, 23 August 2024, https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/ptsd-trauma/coping-with-emotional-and-psychological-trauma. Accessed 30 April 2025.
Stuart, Jaimee. “Social Science & Medicine.” The long-term financial and psychological resettlement outcomes of pre-migration trauma and post-settlement difficulties in resettled refugees, October 2020, https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0277953620304652. Accessed 30 April 2025.
The Raider Press 