Do you have emotional trauma?

Trauma is a physiological response to overwhelming stress. It can occur due to a single event (like a natural disaster or assault) or ongoing experiences (like chronic abuse or neglect). For some people, the effects of trauma are temporary. But for others, they can be long-lasting. Significant trauma can lead to conditions like acute stress disorder (ASD), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

One of the challenges of trauma is that it can be hard to detect. Unlike a broken bone you can see on an X-ray, you can’t always “see” the evidence of trauma. One of the ways you can identify evidence of trauma is to take an emotional trauma test. It can determine whether it’s likely, unlikely, or possible that you’re living with the effects of emotional trauma.

Disclaimer: The test below isn’t a reliable replacement for professional help. It’s not designed to provide an official diagnosis or a formal evaluation. However, it can offer some important insights and signal when it might be time to ask for help.

Take our free emotional trauma test

This test was created for anyone who wants to explore their relationship with trauma. It can reveal whether it’s likely, unlikely, or possibly likely that you’re experiencing the effects of emotional trauma.

Keep in mind that the results aren’t definitive. Emotional trauma isn’t a diagnosable mental health condition. Only a mental health professional can determine whether you’re living with a trauma-induced condition like acute stress disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.

To make the most of this test, take it when you have some quiet time to yourself. Remember, there are no right or wrong answers. Just do your best to provide honest responses, and don’t be afraid to pause if you need to. You can also stop taking the test at any time if it makes you uncomfortable. If that happens, practice some self-care or talk to someone you trust.

Consider the following questions:

1. Have you had trouble controlling your thoughts about a relationship, social interaction, or other event?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Maybe
2. Have you experienced anxiety, feeling on edge, or excessive worry since that event/relationship/interaction occurred?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Sometimes
3. Do you tend to be “jumpy” or easily startled by people, places, sounds, smells?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Sometimes
4. Do you tend to expect the worst in people?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Sometimes
5. Do you have a hard time forming new relationships?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Sometimes
6. Do you have a hard time trusting people?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Sometimes
7. Do you have a hard time falling asleep or staying asleep through the night?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Sometimes
8. Have people told you that you seem irritable, uncomfortable, or hard to get to know?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Sometimes
9. Do you tend to feel overly guilty for social interactions that don’t go well? Or do you tend to overly blame others for negative social interactions?
   • Yes
   • No
   • Sometimes
10. Do you tend to turn away from relationships/friendships when they get too deep? Or do you tend to get deep very quickly and share what others may consider to be “too much?”
    • Yes
    • No
    • Sometimes

Quiz content written by Lolly Coleman, MS, LMFT.

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How the emotional trauma quiz works

Therapists use several scales and assessments to identify trauma. Our clinician created this emotional trauma test with those professional tools in mind. However, please note that this test was designed for adult use. It’s not intended to reveal the effects of trauma in children.

As we mentioned, this test won’t provide a diagnosis and can’t replace professional help. But it can help you learn about yourself. Depending on your results, it might provide the encouragement you need to seek support. 

Continue your journey to healing emotional trauma

If your test reveals that it’s “likely” or “possible” that you’re living with the effects of trauma, here are some next steps to help you continue your healing journey:

• Sit with your results. Do you feel like they describe your experience? Do they accurately reflect your thoughts and feelings? Why or why not? What was it like to take this test? Which questions were hardest to answer? Consider writing your responses in a journal.
• Avoid labels. Identifying trauma can be an important part of healing. But attempting to diagnose or label yourself can be unhelpful. Remember, this quiz can’t determine whether you’re living with a mental health condition. 
• Ask for help. If your life has been negatively affected by trauma, you’re not alone. Many mental health professionals offer trauma-informed care. They can help you manage your trauma symptoms and find healthy ways to heal. 

Find care with Rula

Emotional trauma can be difficult to detect. But its effects can be serious and long-lasting. If you’re unsure whether you’re living with trauma, taking an emotional trauma test can help. While not a replacement for a formal evaluation, it can reveal important insights. Depending on your results, it might help you better understand yourself and your experiences. Learning more about your relationship with trauma can help you know when to seek professional help.

At Rula, we’re committed to delivering a comprehensive behavioral health experience that helps people feel seen and understood so they can get back to feeling their best. 

Rula makes it easier to find a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider who accepts your insurance so you don’t have to choose between affordable care and excellent care. With a diverse network of more than 15,000 providers, 24/7 crisis support, and appointments available as soon as tomorrow, we’re here to help you make progress — wherever you are on your mental health journey.

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