What is trauma? What to know
Key takeaways
Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event that can manifest in a range of emotional and physical symptoms, with the potential to develop into a mental health condition like PTSD if symptoms persist.
Different types of trauma exist, including acute (from a single event), chronic (from prolonged exposure), and complex (from multiple events), with secondary trauma affecting those closely connected to trauma survivors.
Treatments
such as therapy and self
-care practices like exercise, mindfulness, social connection, and improved sleep can help individuals manage trauma symptoms and improve their overall well-being. Not everyone who experiences a stressful event will develop trauma.
There are also various types of trauma.
Some people will develop symptoms that resolve after a few weeks, while others will experience longer-term effects.
With treatment, people can address the root cause of the trauma and find constructive ways to manage their symptoms. Types of trauma According to the American Psychological Association (APA), trauma is “an emotional response to a terrible event,” such as an accident, rape, or a natural disaster.
People may experience trauma as a response to any event they find physically or emotionally threatening or harmful. Trauma can cause a range of emotions both immediately after the event and in the long term.
People may feel overwhelmed, helpless, or shocked and may have difficulty processing their experiences.
Trauma can also cause physical symptoms.
Symptoms
that persist and do not become
less severe can indicate that the trauma has developed into a mental health condition called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). There are three main types of trauma: Acute trauma: This results from a single stressful or dangerous event.
Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events. Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence.
Complex trauma: This results from exposure to multiple traumatic events. Secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, is another type that may occur.
In this case, a person develops trauma symptoms due to close contact with someone who has experienced a traumatic event. Family members, mental health professionals, and others who care for someone who has experienced a traumatic event may be at risk of vicarious trauma.
The symptoms may be similar to those of PTS
D.
Symptoms
of trauma
The symptoms of trauma can range from mild to severe. Many factors determine how a traumatic event affects a person, including : personal characteristics previous exposure to traumatic events whether the person has a strong support system the type and characteristics of the event or events Emotional and psychological responses A person who has been through trauma may experience: denial anger fear sadness shame confusion anxiety depression numbness guilt hopelessness irritability difficulty concentrating They may have emotional outbursts, find it difficult to regulate their emotions, or withdraw from others.
People may also experience flashbacks, during which they relive the traumatic event in their mind, or nightmares. Physical responses Along with an emotional reaction, trauma can cause physical symptoms such as: headaches digestive symptoms fatigue racing heart sweating jumpiness Sometimes, a person will also experience hyperarousal, which is a constant state of alertness.
This may make it difficult for them to sleep. People may go onto develop other mental health issues, such as depression , anxiety , and substance misuse problems.
Traumatic experiences According to World Health Organization research from 2017, ## about 70% of people worldwide may experience a traumatic event at some point in life. The charity Mind in the United Kingdom lists the following potential causes of trauma: bullying harassment physical, psychological, or sexual abuse sexual assault traffic collisions childbirth life threatening health conditions the sudden loss of a loved one an attack a kidnapping acts of terrorism natural disasters war A traumatic event may be isolated, or a person may experience repeated, ongoing traumatic events.
A person can also experience trauma after witnessing something traumatic that happens to someone else. PTSD PTSD develops when the symptoms of trauma persist or worsen for at least a month.
PTS
D is distressing and can interfere with a person’s daily life and relationships.
Symptoms
include severe anxiety
, flashbacks, and persistent memories of the event. People will also show avoidance behaviors, such as trying to avoid thinking about the traumatic event, avoiding the place where it occurred, and avoiding its triggers.
PTSD may last for years, although treatment can help people manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life. The U.K. charity Mind suggests that the following factors may increase the risk of PTSD: previous trauma physical pain or injury lack of support after the trauma other stressors that occur at the same time, such as financial difficulty previous anxiety or depression Most people who experience a traumatic event do not develop PTSD.
Research suggests that the lifetime prevalence of PTSD is between 6.1% and 9.2%. Childhood trauma According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), toxic, prolonged stress from childhood traumatic events may negatively affect the following: brain development stress response systems the immune system decision making and learning
As a result, trauma, especially ongoing trauma, can significantly affect a child’s long-term emotional development, mental health, physical health, and behavior.
Treatments
for trauma
Several treatments can help people who are experiencing trauma or PTSD cope with their symptoms and improve their quality of life. Doctors will selecta treatment that best suits a person’s situation.
Medications may help a person manage symptoms such as anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbances. Doctors may suggest selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as sertraline (Zoloft) or paroxetine (Paxil).
Therapy is a preferred treatment for trauma. People can work with a therapist who has experience handling trauma.
Beneficial types of therapy may include: Cognitive processing therapy (CPT) CPT is a specific type of cognitive behavioral therapy that involves 12 to 16 one-hour sessions. Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) During EMDR, people briefly relive specific traumatic experiences while a therapist uses bilateral stimulation, which may involve eye movements, tapping, or other stimuli.
Written expression therapy During this type of exposure therapy, a person writes about the traumatic event and pays close attention to the thoughts and emotions they had at the time of the event. Accelerated resolution therapy (ART) ART is an emerging therapy that has shown effectiveness in significantly reducing PTSD symptoms in veterans.
Somatic therapies Some therapists may use somatic (body-based) techniques to help the mind and the body process trauma. One example is somatic experiencing, in which a therapist helps someone relive traumatic memories in a safe space.
The authors of a 2021 review suggest that somatic therapies show promising benefits for traumatic stress but conclude that research is still in the early stages. Self-care after trauma Practicing self-care can help people cope with the emotional, psychological, and physical symptoms of trauma.
Examples of self-care for trauma include: Exercise: A 2019 review suggests that aerobic exercise may be an effective therapy for people with PTSD. Mindfulness: A 2021 study suggests that mindfulness strategies may help reduce the negative effects of cumulative trauma in U.S. veterans.
Social connection: The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs suggests that social support is one of the most effective methods to protect against PTSD.
Sleep: Traumatic experiences may contribute to sleep difficulties. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night, so a person may benefit from speaking with a doctor about how to improve their sleep.
When to seek help
People who experience persistent or severe symptoms of trauma should seek help from a mental health professional.
It is especially important to seek help if the trauma symptoms interfere with a person’s daily functioning or relationships with others. Even those with mild symptoms can feel better once they talk with someone.
Help is out there If you or someone you know is in crisis and considering suicide or self-harm, please seek support: Call or text the 988 Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. Caring counselors are available to listen and provide free and confidential support 24/7.
Text HOME to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 to connect with a volunteer crisis counselor for free and confidential support 24/7. Not in the United States?
Find a helpline in your country with Befrienders Worldwide. Call 911 or your local emergency services number if you feel safe to do so.
If you’re calling on behalf of someone else, stay with them until help arrives.
You may remove weapons or substances that can cause harm if you can do so safely.
If you’re not in the same household, stay on the phone with them until help arrives.
Frequently asked questions
How does someone know if they have trauma? A healthcare professional can determine whether someone is experiencing trauma after a stressful event.
Short-term reactions may include nightmares, shock, and denial.
Longer-term effects may include flashbacks, difficulty with relationships, and physical symptoms.
How does trauma change a person?
Some people may have difficulty moving on with their lives after a stressful event that causes trauma. They may experience ongoing symptoms such as flashbacks or anxiety.
Trauma may also affect a person’s daily life or personal relationships.
Does trauma ever go away?
Symptoms
of trauma after a stressful event
are common. Seeking help from a healthcare professional can help people manage their symptoms and emotions.
In some cases, trauma may develop into PTSD.
However, doctors can prescribemedications and therapy to help a person manage the condition.
Summary
Many people will experience a traumatic event at some point in life.
Some may experience symptoms of shock and distress, and most will recover within a short period.
Some people may experience longer-term traumatic effects, such as PTSD.
Therapy and self-care can help people manage persistent trauma symptoms and improve their quality of life. A person should speak with a doctor if they develop symptoms of trauma.
A doctor can suggest treatments and strategies to help manage a person’s symptoms. Read this article in
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