How can you tell if a past trauma is hurting your relationship?

These days, there is no end to the pressures on our relationships. We blame the pandemic, the forced confinement of the lockdowns, even political differences. But the reasons why a relationship ends are always far more complicated. Of course, each situation is unique and filled with specific details. However, in a bigger picture sense, almost all relationships are impacted by a few general underlying factors.One of these factors is past trauma. It’s a common catalyst for marital strife but not easily identified as such. Past trauma manifests in surprising — even sneaky — ways. Until its influence is identified, it will continue to do damage and create relational discord. Learning more about trauma can be a giant step toward a healthier relationship.

What is “Past Trauma”?

Obviously, from the two words in the phrase, you can discern the basic meaning. But, to be more clear, past trauma is most frequently used to discuss events that took place in your childhood. However, your “past” may far more recent than that. While trauma is to be defined by each individual, a range of common categories exists to help understand the word. These categories include:

Abuse: emotional, physical, and/or sexual
Neglect: emotional and/or physical
Bullying or harassment
Household crises, e.g. substance abuse, domestic violence, incarceration, separation or divorce, mental illness, etc.
Death of a loved one
Injury, illness, and/or disability
Enduring a crime, accident, natural disaster, homelessness, life in a war zone, or terrorism

Generally speaking, if any of these traumas occur in your childhood, the impact may be deeper and longer-lasting. Even so, regardless of timing, these categories of trauma can cause serious problems well into the future. That includes relationship stress.

How to Tell if Past Trauma is Impacting Your Current Relationship

Unexplained or “Unprovoked” Conflict

Someone struggling with trauma is often also dealing with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). This condition can cause nightmares, flashbacks, hyper-vigilance, avoidance, dissociation, and more. In this state, your partner may behave in what feels unpredictable to you.

Reduced Intimacy/Loss of Trust

Past trauma makes it hard to trust again. With PTSD, you do not want to feel vulnerable. Unfortunately, this can appear to your partner like emotional and physical distance. Physical intimacy will begin to decrease. Your partner might shy away from sharing their emotions. Overall, they may feel disengaged and detached. This can build resentment and further whittle away at your collective trust.

Fight-Flight-Freeze

When you struggle with PTSD, you’re sort of stuck in fight-flight-freeze mode. You can’t let your guard down and respond to almost any stimulus as if you are under attack. Here is how each response may appear:

Fight: Behavior could be somewhat passive-aggressive, e.g. subtly controlling your behavior, making a progression of demands, or grudge-holding. In the more directly aggressive reaction, the fight response results in an expression of rage, blame, or contempt. At peak escalation, you run the risk of verbal or physical abuse.
Flight: This is where the passive-aggression rules the day. Your partner will withdraw, isolate, and avoid. If pushed to engage, they may do something impulsive or simply run away from the situation.
Freeze: Does your partner ever shut down? If so, they may be stuck in freeze mode. The only safe choice, in their minds, is to disconnect so as to avoid the sensation of being helpless.

Help is Available

Past trauma is complicated and can be frustrating. Whether you are processing it or dealing with its impact, you will need guidance. Whether it’s via individual or couples counseling, recovery and healing are possible. If any of the above signs and behaviors feel familiar, you’d be well-advised to seek help. Please read more about trauma counseling, reach out, ask some questions, and set up a free consultation.

Trauma Therapy in the Denver Area

Trauma therapy can be an effective way for individuals to process and cope with the effects of trauma. If you or someone you know has experienced a traumatic event, consider seeking the support of a qualified trauma therapist who can help guide you on your healing journey. To get started, you can email us, use the contact page, or call 720-551-4553 for a free, 15-minute phone consultation. You can also read more about our Trauma Therapy services on our Trauma Web Page.