What causes reckless behavior after trauma?

Research shows that most people have survived at least one traumatic experience. Perhaps one of the most surprising — and troubling — things about how trauma affects us is how it can lead to reckless behaviors that seem to pull us deeper into pain rather than leading us away from it.

The connection between trauma and reckless behavior is complex and often becomes a vicious cycle that can feel out of control. But there’s hope — understanding the roots of these behaviors, recognizing how trauma rewires the brain, and finding healthier coping strategies can help you break the pattern and live a more fulfilling life.

Why do people with trauma tend to take risks?

Traumatic experiences are more common than you may think. Some research shows that over 70% of people have gone through at least one traumatic event. The aftereffects of a traumatic event can be long lasting and include symptoms like:

• Reliving the traumatic event as if it’s happening again
• Experiencing nightmares or having difficulty sleeping
• Constantly feeling on edge or overly alert to potential danger
• Actively avoiding people, places, or situations that remind you of the trauma
• Feeling disconnected from your emotions or struggling to feel joy or love
• Reacting with frustration or anger over minor triggers
• Feeling easily startled or jumpy in response to sudden noises or movements
• Having difficulty remembering important details of the traumatic event
• Feeling an overwhelming sense of blame or responsibility for the trauma
• Struggling to focus on tasks or maintain attention
• Experiencing chronic pain, headaches, or gastrointestinal (stomach) issues linked to stress
• Pulling away from loved ones or feeling isolated

Because trauma tends to rob us of a sense of safety and often leads to hypervigilance, you might think that people who’ve gone through trauma are more likely to take the safer route to avoid any risks or danger. But, in reality, research shows that the opposite is often true. 

People with trauma backgrounds are more likely to engage in reckless and dangerous behaviors, including:

• Excessive substance use
• Driving while intoxicated
• Unsafe sex
• Aggressive outbursts or physical violence
• Gambling

For example, people with PTSD are up to three times more likely to also live with substance use disorder. Other studies have found that people who were victims of sexual abuse as children are more likely to engage in reckless or unsafe sex as teens. 

There could be a few different explanations for this link, including: 

Effects on impulse control

First, traumatic experiences can affect the structure and chemistry of the brain. In particular, trauma can cause changes in the prefrontal cortex, an area of the brain that’s responsible for impulse control. A lack of impulse control means that people affected by trauma may be more likely to engage in reckless behaviors without thinking through the consequences.

Reckless behaviors as emotional regulation

In addition, some research suggests that reckless behaviors may be a form of emotional regulation for those who’ve gone through trauma. Emotional regulation is another important cognitive skill that the prefrontal cortex is responsible for. It’s the ability to soothe your own emotions and cope with emotional distress in healthy ways. For example, if you’ve gone through a traumatic event, you might use substances in unhealthy ways to try to numb those feelings.

Reduced sensitivity to red flags

It’s also possible that trauma impacts your ability to recognize red flags. Especially if you’ve gone through trauma throughout your life, you may have become adjusted to a “normal” type of situation or behaviors that are actually putting you at risk.

For example, if you grew up constantly witnessing community violence, you may not recognize when violent situations are truly a threat to your safety. However, for many people, trauma has the opposite effect and makes them more sensitive to potential danger.

Effects of cycling between recklessness and trauma

Unfortunately, trauma and reckless behavior can get locked in a vicious cycle. Trauma not only makes you more likely to engage in reckless behaviors, but engaging in these behaviors makes you more vulnerable to experiencing further trauma.

Imagine a person who has experienced a physical assault. Because of the symptoms and effects of trauma, they engage in reckless behaviors, like using illicit substances or getting into street fights as a way to numb their pain. However, the more they use substances or get into fights, the more additional trauma they open themselves up to. For example, they could get assaulted again during a street fight and end up in the hospital, incurring high medical costs. They could also wind up in jail, making it difficult to get a stable job due to their police record.  

The more additional traumas they experience, the more likely they are to rely on reckless behaviors as a way to cope. Thus, they get stuck in a vicious cycle. This can understandably complicate trauma recovery and keep you locked in a pattern of experiencing trauma.

How to manage reckless behaviors from trauma disorders

Although the vicious cycle of trauma and reckless behaviors can make life feel out of control, the right support can help you manage your symptoms. There are ways to change your behaviors, adopt healthier coping skills, and overcome the painful effects of trauma.

Address substance use issues

If you live with substance use disorder, it’s important to address those symptoms. Using substances excessively or in harmful ways isn’t only a reckless behavior in itself, but it can also leave you more vulnerable to other dangerous behaviors, like drunk driving or aggressive outbursts. Treatment can help you overcome urges to rely on substances and develop healthier ways to cope with pain.

Understand your triggers

Be mindful of what specifically triggers you to engage in reckless behaviors. What are the signs that you’re about to give in to your impulses? What situations, places, or people make you more likely to engage in reckless behaviors? By understanding your triggers, you can do your best to avoid them — and make a plan for how to deal with them when you can’t.

Connect with role models

If you could wave a magic wand, how would you prefer to cope with the aftereffects of trauma? Are there people in your life who are managing their trauma in a way that inspires you? Community matters. By surrounding yourself with positive role models, you can lean on them for support and guidance when you feel like engaging in risky behaviors.

Seek mental health support

Trauma disorders — along with other mental health conditions like depression that may result from trauma — often require professional treatment. You aren’t to blame for having these symptoms or emotions, and they aren’t signs of weakness. 

However, these conditions are unlikely to go away on their own. Seeking mental health support can help you address the underlying trauma disorders that may be leading to reckless behaviors. Give yourself the opportunity to break out of the vicious cycle and live a life that feels more aligned with your values.

Find care with Rula

Life after trauma can feel painful and out of control, but it doesn’t have to be this way forever. With the support of a therapist, you can learn new, healthier ways of coping with the effects of trauma and reduce reckless behaviors that may leave you vulnerable to further harm. At Rula, we boast a network of 10,000+ licensed therapists with expertise in over 80 clinical specialties, including trauma disorders. You can connect with a trauma-informed therapist who takes your insurance in just a few clicks.

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