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PTSD: The Silent Intruder (Learn The Symptoms)
- Olivia
- Jan 30
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 15
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Hey there, friend. I want to talk about something that’s close to my heart—something that I think a lot of us go through but don’t always know how to put into words. That’s the tricky thing about trauma; it’s sneaky. It creeps into your life in ways that don’t always make sense, and before you know it, you’re feeling things you can’t explain. If you’re wondering if this might be you, let’s talk about it together, okay?
How PTSD Can Show Up
Here’s the thing about trauma: it’s not always loud and obvious. It can be quiet, like a whisper in the back of your mind that you can’t quite shake. It can show up in different ways—some that you might see and others that are harder to spot.
What You Might Notice on the Outside:
You feel like you’re on edge all the time, jumping at sudden noises or movements.
Your body reacts when you’re reminded of something painful—your heart races, your palms sweat, or your hands shake.
You start avoiding people, places, or things that remind you of what you’ve been through.
What You Might Feel on the Inside:
Nightmares or flashbacks that pull you back to moments you’d rather forget.
Feeling numb, like you’re just going through the motions and not really connecting with anything or anyone.
A voice in your head that won’t stop blaming you or making you feel small.
Forgetfulness, trouble focusing, or feeling like even simple tasks are overwhelming.
If any of this sounds familiar, I want you to know you’re not alone. I’ve been there, and it’s hard—really hard—but there’s a way through this. Let me share a bit of my story with you.
My Story: The Undoing
For years, I dealt with a falling out with my dad and my mom’s struggles with alcoholism. These experiences deeply affected me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. The relationships that once brought me safety and joy became sources of pain and confusion. Those changes left scars that I carried into other parts of my life, and for a long time, I didn’t even realize how much they were impacting me.
What Trauma Did to Me
Over time, the weight of everything started showing up in ways I didn’t expect. I stopped doing the things I used to love—drawing, reading, even just walking outside and enjoying the sunshine. Instead, I stayed cooped up in my room where it felt safe. My body began to rebel, too. I developed irritable bowel syndrome and struggled with frequent migraines and strained muscles that pulled easily. My short-term memory went downhill—I’d forget where I put my keys or what I needed to do just moments after thinking about it. Worst of all, my mind became a broken record, replaying every painful memory on a loop that I couldn’t seem to stop, no matter how hard I tried to think positively (Mayo Clinic, 2023; National Institute of Mental Health, 2023).
Healing Is Messy, But Possible
Here’s the truth: healing is not a straight road. It’s messy, and it takes time. I’m still on this journey, but I’ve started finding ways to move forward. Therapy has been a lifesaver, giving me a space to unpack everything I’ve been carrying. Mindfulness has helped me stay grounded in the moment, even when my mind wants to pull me back to the past. I’ve also started picking up hobbies again and surrounding myself with people who lift me up. It’s not perfect, but it’s progress.
I’m still working on finding the person I’m meant to be—the me that’s not defined by trauma but by strength and resilience. If you’re on this path, too, I want you to know that you’re not alone, and it’s okay to take things one step at a time.
Books That Can Help You Understand PTSD
If you're looking for deeper insight into trauma and PTSD, these books are powerful resources:
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk – A must-read on how trauma is stored in the body and ways to heal.
Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker – A great resource for understanding the long-term effects of complex trauma.
What Happened to You? Conversations on Trauma, Resilience, and Healing by Bruce D. Perry and Oprah Winfrey – A compassionate and insightful look at how childhood experiences shape us.
It Didn’t Start With You by Mark Wolynn – An exploration of inherited trauma and how to break cycles of pain.
What My Bones Know by Stephanie Foo – A deeply personal memoir about living with PTSD and finding a path toward healing.
The Myth of Normal by Gabor Maté – A powerful exploration of how trauma and stress are deeply embedded in modern society.
In an Unspoken Voice by Peter A. Levine – A deep dive into how the body processes trauma and how to restore inner balance.
No Bad Parts by Richard C. Schwartz – A look into internal family systems therapy and how we can embrace all aspects of ourselves for healing.
Reading about trauma can be both eye-opening and validating. If any of these books call to you, consider giving them a try! Check out a detailed summary of each book in this list here.
How to Know If You’re Dealing with Trauma
If any of this resonates with you, here are a few things to ask yourself:
Do I feel constantly on edge, like something bad is about to happen?
Do I avoid people, places, or things that remind me of something painful?
Do I have trouble focusing or remembering things?
Am I replaying past events over and over in my mind?
Do I feel disconnected from the things I used to love?
If you said yes to any of these, it might be worth exploring what’s going on with someone you trust—whether that’s a friend, family member, or a therapist (American Psychiatric Association, 2023).
What You Can Do
If you think you’re dealing with trauma, here’s what I want you to remember:
Reach out for help. There are professionals who can guide you through this, like therapists trained in trauma work.
Take small steps. You don’t have to tackle everything at once. Start with one small change—even something as simple as going for a walk or writing down your feelings.
Find your people. Surround yourself with friends or loved ones who make you feel safe and supported.
Be kind to yourself. Healing takes time, and it’s okay to have bad days. You’re doing the best you can, and that’s enough.
Where to Get Help
If you need support, here are some resources that can help:
Canada:
Talk Suicide Canada: 1-833-456-4566 or text 45645 (24/7)
Kids Help Phone: 1-800-668-6868 or text CONNECT to 686868
Crisis Services Canada: 1-833-456-4566
United States:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) Helpline: 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
International:
International Association for Suicide Prevention (IASP): Find a helpline at https://www.iasp.info
Befrienders Worldwide: Find support services at https://www.befrienders.org
Friend, you are so much stronger than you realize. This road isn’t easy, but you don’t have to walk it alone. You’ve got this—and if you stumble, I’ll be here to remind you that you can get back up. Take care of yourself, okay? You deserve it.
References:
American Psychiatric Association. (2023). What is posttraumatic stress disorder? Retrieved from https://www.psychiatry.org
Mayo Clinic. (2023). Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): Symptoms and causes. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org
National Institute of Mental Health. (2023). Post-traumatic stress disorder. Retrieved from https://www.nimh.nih.gov
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