When Healing From Trauma Looks Like Hiding

Key points

Not all people who experience trauma develop PTSD.

Trauma can leave an impact on how we see ourselves, others, and the world.

Recovery begins by recognizing struggles with safety, trust, control and power, esteem, and intimacy.

We manage our day-to-day lives very much like an Instagram feed. Our friends, coworkers, and family assume we are thriving and doing well. Managing impressions is especially important when a person has been impacted by trauma and works hard to move on with their lives, but continues to view themselves, others, and the world with suspicion. Our efforts to keep up our public image may be making things worse, not better.

Many traumatized individuals assume that because they do not have the hallmark signs and symptoms of post- traumatic stress diso