Part 4: Trauma and the Soul: Understanding Its Impact on Thoughts, Emotions, and Behaviours
By Susan Adeyemi, Counsellor, & Author
- How Trauma Affects Behaviours
- Signs Trauma is Affecting Your Behaviours:
- Practical Indicators of Unresolved Trauma on Behaviours
- Ways to Overcome:
- Reflection Questions
- GET YOUR GUIDE ON MANAGING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS
- Related Articles
How Trauma Affects Behaviours
Trauma often shapes behavioural patterns in ways that reflect the soul’s attempt to protect itself from further harm. Individuals with unresolved trauma may find themselves people-pleasing to avoid conflict, withdrawing from relationships to prevent rejection, or repeatedly entering toxic dynamics because chaos feels familiar. Some may develop compulsive behaviours like overworking, overeating, or substance use to numb emotional pain, while others may sabotage opportunities due to deeply rooted beliefs of unworthiness.
These behavioural patterns are often subconscious survival strategies developed in past unsafe environments but become barriers to living healthy in the present. From a biblical perspective, these patterns can keep individuals bound. It can prevent a renewal of the “old self” (Ephesians 4:22) that God desires to renew, and hinder how God wants to guide His children toward behaviours that align with His truth and healing.
A 2023 report by the Office for National Statistics indicates that adults with unresolved childhood trauma are more likely to experience unhealthy relationship patterns and struggle with boundaries.
Biblical Perspective:
“For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice.” (Romans 7:19, NKJV)
Paul’s struggle mirrors the tension many trauma survivors face: knowing the right thing but feeling unable to break free from destructive cycles without God’s healing intervention. First, if you can recognise the limitations in your wants, emotions and behaviours, you are on the way to healing. Trauma negatively affects these areas. My passion will be to empower you to ultimately break the cycle of trauma and negative patterns in your life.
WORK WITH ME
Interested in developing new thinking patterns?. Want to challenge negative mindset? Want to restructure the way you think? Book a FREE 1-2-1 clarity call with me and let’s EXPOSE THE THINKING PATTERNS that keep you trapped in TRAUMA AND PTSD.
God wants freedom for everyone. He wants a life devoid of pain, misery and hopelessness. I discuss the signs, practical indicators of trauma and how to overcome them in the following chapters.
Signs Trauma is Affecting Your Behaviours:
Unresolved trauma often drives behavioural patterns, including:
- People-pleasing to avoid conflict
- Isolation due to fear of rejection
- Substance misuse to numb pain
- Repeatedly entering toxic relationships
Practical Indicators of Unresolved Trauma on Behaviours
- People-pleasing and inability to say “no.”
- Self-sabotaging behaviours (e.g., procrastination, substance use, overcommitting, negative self talk, withdrawing from healthy relationships).
- Staying in toxic relationships out of fear of being alone.
- Isolating to avoid perceived threats.
- Overworking to gain a sense of worth.
Example Scenario:
Daniel, 39, constantly overworks and volunteers for extra projects to gain praise from his boss. He fears being seen as lazy or worthless, driven by childhood neglect where achievements were the only way to gain parental attention.
Ways to Overcome:
– Recognise the pattern: Identify triggers leading to overworking or people-pleasing.
– Set small boundaries: Practice saying “no” to one low-risk request.
– Seek God’s approval first (Galatians 1:10).
– Support and accountability: Share your behavioural patterns with a trusted mentor or group for prayer and encouragement.
Reflection Questions
- Which emotions do you find hardest to manage or acknowledge?
- Do you feel safe enough to bring your raw emotions before God?
Use the GUIDE BELOW to evaluate your emotions. It also offers practical and biblical methods to manage negative emotions.
GET YOUR GUIDE ON MANAGING NEGATIVE EMOTIONS
Share your story in the comments and with others.
Your experience can bring light and encouragement to someone else navigating the same struggle. If this post helped you, share it with a friend who may be silently battling fear
