“There are wounds that never show on the body that are deeper and more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” 
― Laurell K. Hamilton, Mistral's Kiss

You feel out of control, and it's not working.  You thought you could use your mind and just pull through, but ever since your traumatic event, you have not felt like yourself.  You know you are safe, but the world feels scary, and you can't seem to find peace.

Before your trauma, life seemed carefree.  You believed you could handle life's challenges, and you had.  But lately things just don't feel right.  You look around and wonder what life would be like if the trauma had never happened.

So here you are, thinking you should be past it, but wondering if you'll ever feel like yourself again.

Every day is unpredictable.  You don't know if this will be a day you can function or if you'll find yourself numb, tearful, or in a constant state of "alert." 
Some days you know your trauma was serious.  Other days you wonder if you're overreacting and your trauma is bad enough to need help.  

Whatever you call it, you know you want to feel normal.  You function day-to-day, you do the things you're supposed to do, but deep down you know you're not experiencing the fullness of life for which you were made.