Last Updated on January 19, 2026 by Brenda

Listen to this Podcast at: More Than A Diagnosis: The Truth About Trauma and Its Aftermath

Trauma is an event, but its aftermath is a process. For those who have survived a traumatic event, the journey to recovery is not always a straight line. On our latest Health IQ episode, we went beyond the diagnosis with trauma expert and social worker Liam Westgate to explore the lasting effects of trauma and how we can provide meaningful support.

Understanding the Aftermath

Liam explained that trauma can leave a person changed, often manifesting in behaviors that are easily misunderstood. For example:

Difficulty with Time & Focus: Trauma can disrupt a person’s sense of time, making it hard for them to focus, recall, or remember things.

Heightened Reactivity: A person may seem to “overreact” to a small event, going from “zero to 100” in an instant. This heightened reactivity can be a trauma response, a signal that their distress tolerance has been lowered.

The Struggle with Waiting: For a person whose sense of safety was violated, waiting in a long line or a crowded waiting room can trigger intense anxiety.

Understanding these common reactions is key to showing empathy and patience. We must be curious, not judgmental, about what’s happening behind the story.

The Tools of Recovery

Recovery from trauma is highly individual, but there are many paths and tools available. The episode highlighted several key support systems:

Support Animals and Therapy Dogs: These animals provide a consistent, non-judgmental presence that can be incredibly calming and grounding for someone with PTSD or other trauma-related symptoms.

Therapy and Support Groups: Professional therapy, including specialized interventions like EMDR, can help individuals process their trauma in a safe, controlled environment. Support groups offer a powerful sense of community and validation, reminding people they are not alone.

Connection to Community: For a person who has had to shut down their internal “red flags” to survive, finding a community that feels genuinely safe is crucial. As Liam noted, simple acts of kindness from community members can create a powerful sense of hope and trust, paving the way for further healing.

Ultimately, the goal of trauma recovery is not just to survive, but to learn how to thrive. It’s about making space for “normal” and rediscovering a sense of joy. We can all contribute to this by leading our interactions with compassion, non-judgment, and genuine curiosity.

To learn more about the truth about trauma and its aftermath, and how to support those on their healing journey, listen to the full Health IQ episode.