Trauma Explained: What It Is and How It Affects Us
How does one explain something as prevalent, impactful, and diverse as trauma? It takes many forms (see list below) and can occur over a long time. However, such traumatic events can take form, and they can result in immediate physical and emotional fallout that, left unchecked, can linger for decades.
At least half the people on Earth will endure at least one traumatic experience. Some move forward relatively unscathed while others might struggle with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD). While awareness has grown around these topics, there’s still so much to know.
Types of Trauma
When a single event is the immediate cause of a traumatic response, it’s generally called “acute.” However, anyone can be traumatized in other ways. For example, chronic and complex trauma is the result of ongoing, multiple events like neglect, abuse, sex trafficking, and more.
All that said, a person doesn’t have to be the direct target of violence or abuse to be a trauma victim. Secondary trauma is caused by witnessing a horrific event or series of events.
Common Causes of Trauma
While trauma can be caused by virtually anything, these are the most common and universal causes:
Abuse (physical, sexual, emotional)
Childhood neglect and abandonment
Loss of a loved one via death, divorce, separation, incarceration, etc.
Being the victim of a crime
Domestic violence
Accident, illness, or disability
Living in poverty
Racism and discrimination
Natural disasters
Life in a war zone
Growing up in a home in which substance abuse was present
Kidnapping, trafficking, or being prostituted
Being part of a cult
There is no “real” way to experience trauma. Depending on a person’s circumstances, the same event could feel minor or devastating.
How Does Trauma Occur?
Our minds and bodies are designed to manage stressful and threatening experiences, but this doesn’t mean the system can’t get overloaded. When something triggers a stress response, if it’s severe enough, someone can feel stuck in a state of emergency. This could mean:
Stress hormones remain at unnecessarily high levels
Memories are not properly stored
Sensory fragments cause you to be triggered by sounds, images, sensations, and more
A wide range of symptoms arise and tend to linger (see below)
The traumatic experience is neither processed nor resolved
Being unable to differentiate between real and perceived danger
The above elements add up to you feeling trapped in survival mode.
Common Signs and Symptoms of Trauma
A trauma survivor will almost certainly endure some of the following outcomes:
Intrusive thoughts (including flashbacks)
Confusion
Choosing to self-isolate
Lack of focus
Outbursts of anger
Relentless worrying
Depression
Anxiety
Feeling guilty, ashamed, and hopeless
When a trauma survivor is triggered, they will also display physical red flags like:
Nightmares, insomnia, and other sleep issues
Racing heart rate
Sweating and trembling
Fatigue and exhaustion
Digestive problems
Hypervigilance
Experiencing muscle aches and tension that have no clear explanation
Long-Term Potential Effects of Untreated Trauma
Unfortunately, the list is long, and it includes low self-esteem and struggles with relationships and careers. Here is a brief sampling of what else someone with untreated trauma may face:
More than double the likelihood of contracting a sexually transmitted disease
Four times the probability of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Trauma survivors are at a higher risk of substance abuse than smokers, drinkers, and street drug users
They are 12 times as likely to attempt suicide as the general population
Without help, things may not change for the better. But there is good news: with treatment, you can recover. What happened to you is not your fault. Now, however, you have the power to reach out for professional guidance. Reach out today to learn more about how trauma therapy can help.
