Tacoma Christian Counseling Logo

  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • ADHD
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Autism Spectrum Disorder
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Chemical Dependency
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Codependency
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR
      • Grief and Loss Counseling
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Lifespan Integration Therapy
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Pornography Addiction
      • Personal Development
      • Psychological Testing
      • Relationship Issues
      • Sexual Abuse
      • Sexual Addiction
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Weight Loss
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Couples Counseling
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Counseling for Children
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction Recovery
        Group
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Sexual Addiction
    • Marriage Counseling
  • LocationsWe have offices at various locations
    • Bellevue Office FrontBellevue
    • Bothell Office Front EntranceBothell
    • Edmonds Christian CounselingEdmonds
    • Everett Office Front EntranceEverett
    • Federal Way 2Federal Way
    • HansvilleHansville
    •  1Kent
    • Kirkland Christian CounselingKirkland
    • Lacey 2Lacey
    • Mill Creek Office Waiting RoomMill Creek
    •  1Monroe
    • Oak Harbor OutsideOak Harbor
    • Poulsbo
    • Puyallup Christian CounselingPuyallup
    • Redmond OfficeRedmond
    • Seattle Downtown Christian CounselingSeattle Downtown
    • Seattle Greenlake 1Seattle Greenlake
    • Silverdale Office FrontSilverdale
    • Tacoma Office FrontTacoma
    •  1Vancouver
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CounselorsFind out more about our counselors
  • CareersJoin our team of Christian Counselors
  • (253) 777-1997Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

10 Symptoms of Complex Trauma

Tacoma Christian Counseling
https://tacomachristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/10-symptoms-of-complex-trauma-5.jpg 960 640
https://tacomachristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/Mount-Rainier.jpg
https://tacomachristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/Tacoma-Christian-Counseling-Logo-Fill-Stacked.jpg
621 Pacific Ave, Suite 302
TACOMA, WA 98402
United States
621 Pacific Ave, Suite 302
TACOMA, WA 98402
United States
Photo of Dr. Gianna Young

Dr. Gianna Young

Dec
2024
19

10 Symptoms of Complex Trauma

Dr. Gianna Young

Individual CounselingTrauma

Among the different types of trauma people experience, complex trauma is among the most common and most damaging. It mostly occurs in young childhood and is caused by a parent or caregiver. Complex trauma might stem from repeated instances of abuse or invasive treatment, or it might develop as a result of profound neglect over the years.

When repeated abuse or neglect occurs at such a young age, it impacts that child’s ability to develop a secure attachment with people. When the child grows up, they will experience a range of symptoms and effects due to complex trauma. These symptoms affect their mood, mental health, and future relationships.

A Rough Start

Our parents, caretakers, teachers, and guardians are supposed to be the ones to make us feel safe and to show us how intimacy and trust work. No one is perfect, and most parents and leaders repeat the treatment they experienced, whether nurturing or harmful. Everyone suffers a certain amount of harm at the hands of the people who are meant to love them. Sometimes, we only realize how their actions affected us late into adulthood.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.
10 Symptoms of Complex Trauma 3We might derive some aspects of complex trauma from flawed parents. For example, some parents are well-meaning but strict, disallowing things like locked doors and keeping privacy to a minimum as they try to control the household.

This is not technically abuse, nor is it neglect, but it does communicate fear and control over kids who sometimes simply need space. Growing up in a household like this can impact a person’s ability to establish healthy boundaries as an adult, given that they were not allowed to have boundaries as a child.

However, other children grow up in obviously abusive, toxic environments. For some, abuse is ongoing and persists into their teen years. Parents and caretakers who battle with substance abuse are likely to be neglectful, causing children to take responsibility from a young age. While we all sustain some degree of trauma from bad parenting, it is the children who have to face constant abuse or chronic neglect that suffer the most from complex trauma.

Ten Symptoms of Complex Trauma

Although two people might have similar experiences in their childhood, they might grow to have vastly different responses as adults. Symptoms of complex trauma might vary from person to person. However, there is a collection of symptoms that occur frequently in people who carry complex trauma from their childhood.

A person might experience a number of these symptoms outside of complex trauma, but the existence of three or more of these symptoms would suggest that there is healing from a hurtful childhood that needs to take place.

Shame10 Symptoms of Complex Trauma 2

One of the bitterly ironic effects of abuse and neglect is that the victim is the one who carries the shame almost every time. Shame is something we tend to wear, like a cloak. It remains part of us, shielding us from situations that could harm us. However, it also holds us back and keeps us stuck. Shame doesn’t go away until we identify it and begin addressing it.

Mistrust

It is little wonder that a child who suffered trauma from the people who were meant to protect them would grow into a distrustful adult. We cannot trust until someone proves themselves to us. Even then, we might fall back on old habits of not trusting anyone. Mistrust leaves us lonely and sometimes bitter that people can’t be reliable.

Searching for a rescuer

When we miss out on having a protector or provider as a kid, we never really let go of needing one. That yearning sticks with us well into adulthood, and we might gravitate toward friends, coworkers, and lovers who feel competent in ways that we are not.

For example, we might choose a partner based on their groundedness and calm because we feel turbulent and unpredictable. There is nothing wrong with being rescued occasionally, but it does increase the risk of forming codependent relationships.

Emotional flashbacks

When we experience abuse as a child, our young brain has a way of shielding us from some of the horrors. Sadly, even when that happens, we often carry around a memory of it as we grow. There are times when our thoughts return to those dark places, and we have moments where we vividly remember details. It can feel as if we are back there. These flashbacks can be distressing and debilitating.

Dissociation

10 Symptoms of Complex Trauma 1One of the coping mechanisms built into our nervous systems is dissociation. This is like a mental and emotional “blanking.” Our focus drifts into nothingness, and for a brief moment, we simply don’t feel or think about anything. This can be a helpful tool in a moment when we can’t escape danger, but it tends to happen frequently after complex trauma. This emotional and mental disconnect can become an attitude of general numbness or paralysis if it continues.

Emotional regulation issues

Children who suffer abuse or neglect generally have no place to express themselves. They might be threatened for speaking out about abuse or ignored in cases of neglect. This means that they never learn how to regulate or control their emotions. It often results in adults who have tantrums, outbursts, and unpredictable emotions.

Hypervigilance

If we grew up in a house that felt unsafe or around adults whose behavior was unpredictable, we might find ourselves being hypervigilant adults. This state of anxiety means that we can never truly relax or be ourselves around people. In turn, this will lead to us isolating ourselves and cutting ties to others.

Sadness and suicidal thoughts

Sometimes, it all just feels like too much to handle. We can’t find our way out of the darkness, and it feels as if we have no options or hope beyond our current situation. This is a deadly fruit of complex trauma. We must either divulge these feelings to someone else or stop our thoughts before they become futile. There is always hope and a reason for us to go on.

Loneliness

When we cut ourselves off from intimacy because we can’t trust anyone, the outcome will be loneliness. Most lonely people crave company, but they think they are not “good” at relationships. There might be a lot of hurdles to clear before we can connect with someone, but it is possible; we don’t have to remain lonely.

Loss of faith

People can hardly be blamed for needing proof before they believe something. If you have never experienced kindness from someone, you won’t have faith in the goodness of people. Sadly, not having something to believe in or look forward to only breeds disillusionment and futile thinking. Faith in anything can be a life raft, lifting us out of despair.

Finding the Way Through

10 Symptoms of Complex TraumaOur beginnings do not have to determine our end. History is full of people who were oppressed but overcame and inspired others to do the same. The effects of complex trauma are no small thing, and the challenges we face in addressing our pasts can feel overwhelming.

However, it is possible to move on with our lives, forming healthy attachments. Someone who has experienced complex trauma can heal, love others, become a capable parent, and enjoy deep friendships with the people who love them. It will require taking things day by day, resting when the healing work becomes too much, and keeping eyes focused on the future, which is one filled with better days.

For someone who has experienced complex trauma, talking with a counselor can bring important perspective as well as useful information. If you feel that you have suffered from complex trauma, reach out for that help.

You might not experience a breakthrough in your first session, but counselors are patient, compassionate, and dedicated to your well-being. Our office can help. Contact us today for an appointment with a counselor experienced in helping individuals with complex trauma.

Photos:
“Toadstool”, Courtesy of Florian van Duyn, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Dewdrop”, Courtesy of Aaron Burden, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Clouds”, Courtesy of Kenrick Mills, Unsplash.com, CC0 License; “Starfish”, Courtesy of Linus Nylund, Unsplash.com, CC0 License

DISCLAIMER: THIS ARTICLE DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE

The information, including but not limited to, text, graphics, images and other material contained on this article are for informational purposes only. No material on this site is intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please contact one of our counselors for further information.

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top
Photo of Dr. Gianna Young
Schedule with Dr. Gianna
  • Appointment Info

  • Your Info

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Dr. Gianna Young

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate
(206) 636-1743 giannay@seattlechristiancounseling.com

I am passionate about meeting clients in their toughest seasons and fostering healing together. I approach the counseling relationship with empathy and a holistic framework that we are complex individuals who require complex treatment. I understand that it takes time to heal. My goal is to walk alongside you and help you develop skills that will lead you toward the person God created you to be. Together with God’s help, we can experience a life filled with His peace and joy. Read more articles by Dr. Gianna »

Other articles that might interest you...

How Trauma Counseling Can Help You with Dissociation Symptoms 1
Photo of Dr. Gianna Young

Dr. Gianna Young

How Trauma Counseling Can Help You with ...

Dissociation is when you can easily detach from emotions, experiences, or your identity, often without even realizing it. It is...

continue reading »
Understanding PTSD and Trauma 1
Tacoma Christian Counseling

Understanding PTSD and Trauma

As a therapist who spends about half of my time working with trauma-related issues and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD),...

continue reading »
Understanding Vicarious Trauma 3
Tacoma Christian Counseling

Understanding Vicarious Trauma

Emotionally intelligent people can express empathy, the ability to step into another person’s shoes, seeing and feeling things from their...

continue reading »

About Dr. Gianna

Photo of Dr. Gianna Young

Dr. Gianna Young, D.P.Psy, LMHCA

Licensed Mental Health Counselor Associate

I am passionate about meeting clients in their toughest seasons and fostering healing together. I approach the counseling relationship with empathy and a holistic framework that we are complex individuals who require complex treatment. I understand that it takes time to heal. My goal is to walk alongside you and help you develop skills that will lead you toward the person God created you to be. Together with God’s help, we can experience a life filled with His peace and joy. View Dr. Gianna's Profile

Recent articles by Dr. Gianna

  • May 2 · 5 Ways to Help a Friend After a Traumatic Experience
  • Apr 15 · 9 Tips to Improve Communication in a Relationship
  • Mar 10 · “Spring Cleaning” Your Life: The Power of Habit
See all articles by Dr. Gianna »

Related Services

  • Individual Counseling
  • Trauma

Dr. Gianna's Office Locations

  • Photo of the Puyallup office

    Puyallup

    Washington

    General Office Number

    (253) 200-5787
    1420 S Meridian, Suite C Puyallup, WA 98371

    View Office Details
Tacoma Christian Counseling Logo
Tacoma Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors experienced in helping people of all ages find healing for a wide variety of issues.
© 2025 Tacoma Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
621 Pacific Ave,, Tacoma, WA 98402. Tel (253) 777-1997.
Facebook Twitter Online Counseling About Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!
We are open for business. In person and online counseling are available now.