Understanding Relational Trauma
We’ve all experienced our fair share of hurtful relationships, but what exactly is relational trauma? Relational trauma results from experiencing a pattern of unresolved interpersonal issues with another person or persons. It can lead to physical, emotional, and psychological distress and can be incredibly damaging. Let’s dive into understanding relational trauma in more detail.
What Causes Relational Trauma?
Relational trauma can be caused by various factors ranging from childhood neglect or abuse to intimate partner violence. Other causes include bullying, emotional manipulation, and gaslighting. In addition to these adverse experiences, relational trauma can also stem from feeling unloved, unimportant, unseen, unheard, or dismissed. Any experience that leaves an individual feeling isolated or disconnected from their feelings and emotions has the potential to cause long-term relational damage.
Types of relational trauma [please skip ahead if this content is triggering]
Emotional Abuse: Emotional abuse is a type of relational trauma that can occur in any relationship. It is characterized by the use of words and actions to control, intimidate, or otherwise hurt another person emotionally. Emotional abuse can be just as damaging as physical abuse and can have a lasting impact on the victim’s mental health.
Physical Abuse: Physical abuse is a type of relational trauma that occurs when one person uses physical force to hurt another person. Physical abuse can range from slapping or hitting to more severe forms of violence, such as choking or breaking bones. Physical abuse can have a lasting impact on the victim’s physical health and emotional well-being.
Sexual Abuse: Sexual abuse is a type of relational trauma that occurs when one person forces another to engage in sexual activity against their will. Sexual abuse can include rape, molestation, and other forms of sexual violence. Sexual abuse can have a lasting impact on the victim’s mental and physical health, as well as their emotional well-being.
Verbal Abuse: Verbal abuse is a type of relational trauma that occurs when one person uses words to hurt another person emotionally. Verbal abuse can include name-calling, threats, and other forms of verbal aggression. Verbal abuse can have a lasting impact on the victim’s mental health and emotional well-being
How Does Relational Trauma Affect Us?
Relational trauma impacts individuals emotionally and physically. The most common symptoms are depression, anxiety, loneliness, anger outbursts, poor self-esteem, and trouble sleeping or concentrating on tasks at hand. Physically it can manifest as headaches and stomachaches as well as frequent colds due to a weakened immune system. Many people with relational trauma isolate themselves from others because they feel that no one understands them, and they have a difficult time trusting anyone else with their innermost thoughts and feelings.
In conclusion, understanding the effects of relational trauma is important for us all to consider when forming relationships with those around us—whether it's family members or romantic partners—as we must take into account how our interactions may impact them emotionally and psychologically over time. With this knowledge, we are better able to foster healthier relationships free from manipulation or harm for ourselves as well as others around us. Knowing what constitutes relational trauma enables us to better protect ourselves from its negative influences in our lives moving forward.