Trauma is a horrific, distressing event. Trauma can be describe with a capital “T” referring to war, combat, natural disasters, human disaster (mass shootings), physical and/or sexual assault, terrorism or devastating accidents. These events are generally situations where physical survival is threatened: the person impacted believes that they were going to die. Other trauma can be described with a small “t” referring to verbal abuse, infidelity, separation, parenting concerns, or legal issues. These events may not threaten physical survival but do place the person in a place of “helplessness.” The small “t” traumas tend to accumulate overtime. Examples would be:
a teenager who is continuously teased everyday that they attend school
a child who is never nurtured by the caregiver
a person who is experiencing constant emotional/verbal abuse from their partner
Sometimes small “t” traumas are minimized and treated as insignificant but unfortunately the impact of these small “t” traumas can be extensive.
Some people who experience a traumatic event are able to process the experience and develop meaning to what happened. Unfortunately, others find the experience, stress and other emotions overwhelming and are unable to process or create an understanding of the event. These people can develop Acute Stress Disorder, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder/Developmental Trauma.
Acute Stress Disorder: Acute stress disorder is a mental health condition that can occur immediately after a traumatic event.
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is diagnosed after a person experiences symptoms for at least one month following a traumatic event.
Complex Traumatic Stress Disorder (cPTSD): cPTSD is when a client experiences prolonged and repeated trauma that has happened over months and years.
The symptoms or reactions to trauma can include the following:
Physical: physical injuries from the trauma; sleep disturbance; appetite changes; physical discomfort—increased muscle strain, headaches, stomach pain
Emotional: numbness/disbelief; sadness; fear (safety concerns); anger; shame/guilt/negative self dialogue; helplessness/loss of control; feeling overwhelmed
Cognitive: intrusive thoughts; flashbacks; nightmares; dissociation; difficulty concentrating; suicidal ideation
Behavioural: anxiety reactions; hyper-vigilance; restricted activities; isolating self; suicide attempts
Self & Relational: trust issues; self esteem; body image; intimacy issues; relationship issues; addictions; self harm; changes in self-concept; acclimating to continuous stressful events
Many times, when working with clients, I state that traumatic events do impact us but they don’t have to define us. “These horrific events happened to you but they are not who you are.” The diagnosis of psychological trauma is a disorder that can be treated and many of my clients have healed.
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