The link between Anxiety and Trauma

If we have anxiety, we are often, even subconsciously, scanning any situation we enter for threats or things that will make us feel stressed, nervous or anxious. This is called hypervigilance, which means our brains are in ‘survival mode’ and feeling at threat in new or unfamiliar situations. This also happens if we’ve experienced trauma, no matter what kind.

 

Most people who experience trauma symptoms will experience intense anxiety or stress, and the way the brain reacts to both is very similar.

Often, that feeling of having to keep busy, avoiding certain situations, dissociating, being unable to express affection or feeling generally numb or cut off from our feelings is our brain’s way of preventing the impact of anxiety-inducing situations, whether trauma-related or not.

 

People with PTSD or trauma-related symptoms will continue producing cortisol and adrenaline when no longer in danger, which results in extreme alertness and being easily startled.

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Many physical symptoms also overlap in both trauma and anxiety:

• Headaches

• Dizziness

• Chest pains

• Stomach pains

• Panic attacks

 

There are long-term impacts of experiencing trauma and having anxiety, which may mean that we have difficulty with daily activities such as:

• Looking after ourselves

• Maintaining friendships or relationships

• Changes in sex drive

• Coping with change

• Ability to relax

• Holding down a job

 

If you feel like any of these symptoms relate to you and you'd like some support, look at our signposting page for more information.