Why Can’t I Stop Thinking About This? How Trauma Affects the Brain and Ways to Heal

Nov 14

Imagine you’ve been in a car accident. Thankfully, you walk away with only minor injuries, but now, every time you drive, anxiety takes over. You dread getting behind the wheel, convinced that every passing car is a threat. You constantly check your rearview mirror, afraid someone won’t see your brake lights. Months have passed, yet the fear lingers.

You might ask yourself, Why is this happening? Why can’t I just move on?

What Is Trauma?

When we hear the word “trauma,” we often think of extreme experiences like soldiers returning from war with PTSD. But trauma isn’t just about life-threatening events—it includes anything that overwhelms our ability to cope and disrupts our sense of security.

There are big “T” traumas, such as war, sexual assault, or life-threatening accidents, and smaller traumas, like childhood neglect, bullying, or toxic relationships. While they may differ in intensity, all forms of trauma can deeply affect our emotions, thoughts, and sense of safety in the world.

Common Symptoms of Trauma

Many people don’t realize that their persistent struggles may be signs of unresolved trauma. Here are some common symptoms:

Emotional Overwhelm – Feeling easily triggered or unable to handle stress like before.
Increased Anxiety & Hypervigilance – Being constantly on edge, scanning for danger, or experiencing panic attacks.
Numbness & Detachment – Feeling disconnected from reality, in shock, or emotionally distant.
Intrusive Thoughts & Flashbacks – Replaying the event in your mind, sometimes with nightmares.
Physical Symptoms – Headaches, nausea, fatigue, disturbed sleep, or unexplained pain.
Memory Issues – Difficulty recalling details before or after the event.
Shame & Guilt – Feeling as though you did something wrong or should have prevented the event.
Dissociation – Feeling detached from your body, emotions, or surroundings.
Difficulty Concentrating – Struggling to focus or complete everyday tasks.
Increased Substance Use – Using alcohol or drugs to numb the pain or escape memories.

How to Begin Healing from Trauma

Healing takes time, but there are steps you can take to support your recovery:

1. Be Kind to Yourself

Don’t expect to return to “normal” overnight. Trauma impacts focus, energy, and emotions—give yourself permission to slow down and process your feelings.

2. Stay Connected

Avoiding loved ones can prolong suffering. Talk to trusted friends, family, or a therapist about your experiences. Suppressing emotions only makes healing harder.

3. Face, Don’t Avoid, Your Fears

It’s natural to want to avoid reminders of trauma, but long-term avoidance can reinforce fear. Gradually expose yourself to uncomfortable situations in a safe, controlled way.

4. Move Your Body

Exercise is a powerful tool for healing. Activities like walking, yoga, or biking help release stress, regulate emotions, and rebuild a sense of safety.

5. Journal Your Thoughts

Writing can help process difficult emotions. Acknowledge intrusive memories instead of pushing them away. Once written down, shift your focus to the present.

6. Seek Professional Support

Trauma can be difficult to heal from alone. Therapy—especially modalities like Brainspotting—can help process trauma at a deeper level. Brainspotting is a powerful technique that helps access and heal unresolved trauma by targeting specific eye positions linked to emotional distress. It’s highly effective for trauma, anxiety, and depression, and works both in-person and virtually.

Find Support Today

You don’t have to navigate trauma alone. Healing is possible with the right support.

Monica Ramunda, MA, LPC, LCMHC, RPT-S, specializes in helping individuals and families heal from trauma. She is a trained Brainspotting practitioner and owner of Rocky Mountain Counseling.

Learn more at www.brainspotting.com or reach out today for support.