9 Emotionally Scarring Events That Can Change You Forever

Many life events can and will change you forever. Births, conversations, and situations can impact our psyches, opinions, and outlook in some profound ways. Experiencing trauma can also leave some large wounds that are slow to heal and remain tender for a while, sometimes even a lifetime. And there’s no one definition of what a traumatic event is. Everyone experiences things and interprets them in their own way. Trauma is defined as any event that takes over a person’s thoughts, emotions, and body. It’s very personal and unique, and it can reroute the brain, body, and nervous system. Here are some emotionally scarring events that people experience.

1. Verbal or Emotional Abuse

Emotional and verbal abuse are some of the more common traumatic experiences that people carry. Sometimes these traumas go unnoticed or unaddressed, but that is when the effects of verbal and emotional abuse can be most detrimental and trauma treatment be most beneficial. Verbal and emotional abuse can come from any relationship—parent and child, coworkers, teacher and student, and even romantic partnerships.

2. Physical or Sexual Abuse

Physical and sexual abuse are also too common in society. Although these two traumas are not the same, they both affect the physical body and physical boundaries. Like other traumas, physical and sexual abuse transform the way you feel in your body, and can sometimes disassociate you from your body. It can also make relationships difficult to maintain.

3. Child Neglect

Childhood neglect can have a massive impact on your adulthood. Child neglect occurs when a parent or caregiver fails to take care of a child’s physical or emotional needs who is in their care. Childhood neglect can include not getting medical care when necessary or food when hungry. There are many different ways an adult can fail to meet a child’s needs, and even if they’re not able to identify the neglect as a child, the effects will likely show up later in life.

4. Spiritual or Religious Abuse

When religion or spirituality is used as a tool of oppression, manipulation, and control it becomes abusive. An example of religious abuse is someone sending an LGBTQ+ person to a religious institution to change their sexuality. This is commonly referred to as conversion therapy.

5. Experiencing an Accident or Natural Disaster

Surviving an accident or a natural disaster can be very traumatic for some people. Car accidents and workplace injuries can be tough to handle because the severity can vary so widely. Disfigurement, resulting chronic pain, and more can exact a hefty toll on the mind and emotions. Likewise, natural disasters can be extremely frightening, and destroy homes and livelihoods.  

6. Physical Attack or Assault

Being physically attacked or assaulted can have lasting effects. It makes you feel as though you’re not safe and can result in flashbacks. These flashbacks can appear at any time, but they often manifest when triggered by fear and other strong emotions. Assault can put you in a constant state of high alert.

7. Witnessing Violence or Domestic Abuse

Witnessing someone else’s trauma can become your trauma. Everyone interprets and copes with seeing difficult things in their own way. But for some people, it turns into crippling fear or being in a constant state of alert.

8. Witnessing a Death or Injury

It’s difficult to see death and not be affected by it. These moments have the potential to occupy your mind and emotions. It can become a very vivid memory that is very difficult to move past and cope with. That’s why first responders, military members, and medical professionals often struggle with PTSD.

9. High-Stress Environment

Living or working in a high-stress environment gives you little time to relax your nervous system. It’s not healthy to be in a constant state of heightened stress. It leads to emotional, behavioural, and physical consequences that can wreak havoc. This is also known as complex stress and it’s particularly dangerous as it can build over time. It’s usually not just one experience, but the culmination of many experiences that inform someone’s reality.

Trauma leaves a lasting impression on those it visits. It has a way of changing attitudes, relationships, and thought processes. The one thing to understand about trauma is that it doesn’t have to control your life. It’s possible to find healing and mobilise healthy behaviours and coping strategies so that you can live the life you want.