We have all heard about post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), which is a type of response to trauma. Many people associate PTSD with those who served in the military and were in combat settings. However, any person, regardless of age, gender, or background, can experience trauma and the symptoms associated with it.
To better explain trauma, let’s go over the definition, types, and symptoms associated with the disorder.
Defining Trauma
Trauma is an umbrella term for the emotional response to a distressing situation. These situations can cause a person to feel emotionally or physically threatened during and after their experience.
Most people will experience a traumatic event at least once in their lives. Traumatic events can be life-threatening, or non-life threatening. Not everyone will react to the traumatic event in the same way. What might be a terrifying experience for one person may have minimal impact on another person. After a person goes through a traumatic event, it is hard to anticipate how they will react.
There are three main types of trauma: acute, chronic, and complex. We can use these three specific types of trauma to provide clarity on events that can trigger trauma responses like PTSD.
Types of Trauma
Acute Trauma
Acute trauma occurs from a single, disturbing event that caused someone distress. People who suffer from acute trauma may eventually see their symptoms ease up or disappear altogether. However, some people can have a lingering stress response from a single incident trauma.
Some examples of acute trauma are:
Car accident
Sexual assault
Living through a natural disaster
Death of a loved one
Mass shooting
Racially motivated violence
Chronic Trauma
In contrast, chronic trauma refers to repeated exposure to upsetting situations. Chronic trauma refers to events such as:
Military combat
Repeated sexual abuse
Bullying
Mental or verbal Abuse
Domestic violence
Long-term neglect
Repeated exposure to violent or racist events in person or in the media
Complex Trauma
The third type of trauma is called complex trauma. We can think of complex trauma as the hybrid cross between acute and chronic. People who have complex trauma have often been exposed to varied and multiple traumatic events over time. These traumatic situations could be a combination of single or repeated events.
Symptoms of Trauma
Trauma manifests differently in every person. Time of onset, severity and number of symptoms, and the length of time a person experiences symptoms can vary significantly. Individuals often respond to the same traumatic event quite differently. Witnesses to distressing events may also experience symptoms of traumatic stress.
No matter the type of trauma someone experienced, people can suffer from any of these symptoms:
Anxiety/Panic Attacks
Depression
Insomnia
Trust Issues
Aggressive Behavior
Avoidance of anything that triggers them or reminds them of a certain event or experience
Digestive issues such as nausea when they think about what happened to them
Headaches
Flashbacks, as if they are reliving the moment(s) over again
Persistent memories or thoughts of the event
Lack of self-care
Poor focus
Memory problems
…and more
Not all trauma is the same and everybody deals with it in different ways. If you feel you need help in processing your trauma and managing your symptoms, know that help is available with a therapist who is trained to treat trauma and PTSD.
Sylvia Beligotti, MA, LMFT Associate, works with couples and individuals who have experienced varying degrees of trauma in their past. To get the help and support you deserve, reach out to schedule with the Relationship Counseling Center of Austin. Call Sylvia at (512) 270-4883, ext. 128, or request an appointment through our RCC Austin Scheduling page.
For more information, click here: Trauma Therapy.