When most people hear the word "trauma," they think of childhood events. But the truth is, trauma can happen at any stage of life. Adulthood often brings its own destabilizing experiences—from loss and betrayal to violence and health crises—that can leave lasting marks on the body and brain. These imprints, while invisible, often show up in our health, relationships, and emotional resilience.

The Adult Trauma Assessment (ATA) is a tool that our experienced team—trauma-trained physicians, psychotherapists, neuroscientists, somatic guides and more—designed to help you understand how your adult life may have shaped your nervous system. Drawing from somatic science, epigenetics, and trauma-informed psychology, this profile reflects what modern research now confirms: unresolved adult trauma can affect everything from your immune system to your sleep patterns.

What Is the ATA Impact Profile?

The ATA Impact Profile is a self-assessment framework that helps you reflect on key trauma indicators experienced after the age of 18. Each question corresponds to a category of known trauma-related stressors. You can access the assessment for free here: www.catbirdclub.com/concierge

Score Breakdown: What Your ATA Profile Means

0–1 Points: Mild Adult Trauma Impact
Your body may have returned to a baseline of safety after stressful events. However, subtle symptoms like tension, forgetfulness, or occasional numbness might suggest unresolved stress. This is an excellent time to explore preventive practices to support long-term resilience.

2–4 Points: Moderate Adult Trauma Impact
You may be living with active nervous system dysregulation. Symptoms could include chronic anxiety, mood swings, digestive issues, disordered eating, substance abuse, shallow breathing, or emotional reactivity. Your system may benefit from titrated somatic practices and trauma-informed care to restore balance and capacity.

5+ Points: Serious Adult Trauma Impact
Your body may still be operating in survival mode. Common symptoms include the aforementioned (above) plus chronic fatigue, insomnia, emotional numbness, hypervigilance, addiction, panic attacks, or autoimmune flares. Healing requires pacing, structure, and compassion—with an emphasis on bottom-up, body-based modalities.

Scientific Background: How Trauma Lives in the Body

1. The Role of the Nervous System

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) governs your stress response. Trauma can cause the ANS to become stuck in a state of hyperarousal (fight-or-flight) or hypoarousal (freeze/collapse), leading to chronic emotional and physiological symptoms. Polyvagal Theory explains how our vagus nerve determines whether we feel safe, mobilized, or shut down.

2. Chronic and Toxic Stress Hormones

Prolonged stress causes dysregulation of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, which controls cortisol, adrenaline, and other hormones. These stress chemicals, when chronically elevated, contribute to inflammation, insulin resistance, immune suppression, and even epigenetic changes that affect future generations.

3. Long-Term Health Impacts

Scientific studies link unresolved adult trauma to:

• Autoimmune disorders
• Heart disease
• Chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia
• Depression and anxiety
• IBS and other gut-brain disorders
• Sleep disruptions
• Hormonal imbalances

Symptoms to Watch Based on Your Score

Mild Impact (0–1)

• Muscle tightness or jaw clenching
• Occasional insomnia or hypervigilance
• Mild digestive issues

Moderate Impact (2–4)

• Recurring anxiety or depressive episodes
• Emotional overwhelm or dissociation under stress
• Chronic tension in chest, gut, or throat

Serious Impact (5+)

• Flashbacks or panic attacks
• Unexplained chronic pain
• Deep fatigue or emotional numbness
• Avoidance of intimacy or connection

Trauma Healing: What Can Help

No matter your score, healing is possible. Trauma is not just a psychological issue—it is also a physiological imprint. Healing requires both insight and somatic regulation, and engaging with trauma-informed tools and experts can kick-start your journey to recovery.

You don’t need to relive the story to resolve it. Your body already knows the way. What it needs is safety, rhythm, and support.

Final Thoughts

Adult trauma is real, and it often hides behind phrases like "I should be over this by now." If your ATA score surprised you, you’re not alone. Many people carry trauma that hasn’t been named or validated.

Healing starts with awareness. The ATA Impact Profile is a beginning—a way to understand what your nervous system has survived, and what it might still be holding.

Your story matters. And it’s never too late to begin healing.

Want help interpreting your ATA score?
Join our online community, participate in a live healing session, or chat with Catbird AI to receive somatic-based guidance.

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