The word “trauma” literally means wound, shock, or injury. Psychological trauma is a person’s experience of emotional distress resulting from an event that overwhelms the capacity to emotionally digest it. The precipitating event may be a one-time occurrence or a series of occurrences perceived as seriously harmful or life-threatening to oneself or loved ones. People process experiences differently, and not everyone has the same reaction to any event; what one person experiences as trauma may no
What Are the Types of Trauma?
There are several different types of trauma, with differing consequences for mental health.
Acute trauma reflects intense distress in the immediate aftermath of a one-time event of short duration. The reaction itself is short-term, resolving on its own or with the help of counseling. A car crash, physical or sexual assault , the sudden death of a loved one, or even a medical emergency can create acute trauma.
Chronic trauma refers to the harmful effects of events that are repeated or prolonged. It can develop in response to persistent bullying , neglect, abuse (emotional, physical, or sexual ), and domestic violence . Because of its repeated nature and inescapability, chronic trauma often has serious mental health consequences for individuals.
Complex trauma can arise from experiencing repeated or multiple traumatic events of differing types from which there is no possibility of escape, such as repeated child abuse. The sense of being trapped is a feature of the experience. Like other types of trauma, it can undermine a sense of safety in the world and beget hypervigilance, and constant (and exhausting!) monitoring of the environment for the possibility of threat. Complex trauma experienced in childhood has been associated with the development of borderline personality disorder as well as PTSD .
What Are the Effects of Trauma?
Disturbing events activate the amygdala, a structure in the brain responsible for detecting threats. It responds by sending out an alarm to multiple body systems to prepare for defense. The sympathetic nervous system jumps into action, stimulating the release of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and stress hormones that prepare the body for a fight-flight-or-freeze response. Short-term fear , anxiety , shock, and anger/ aggression are all normal responses to trauma. Such negative feelings dissipate as the crisis abates and the experience fades from memory , but for some people, the distressing feelings can linger, interfering with day-to-day life.
Sufferers of long-term trauma may develop emotional disturbances, such as extreme anxiety, anger, sadness, survivor’s guilt , disassociation, the inability to feel pleasure ( anhedonia ), or PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) . The amygdala becomes hyperactive , its overreaction to minor perturbations leading to an outpouring of stress hormones. Living in defense mode, and ever-vigilant to the possibility of threat, people may experience ongoing problems with sleep or physical pain, encounter turbulence in their personal and professional relationships, and feel a diminished sense of self-worth.
Positive psychological changes after trauma are also possible when people acknowledge their difficulties and see themselves as survivors rather than victims of unfortunate experiences. These can include building resilience , the development of effective coping skills, and the development of a sense of self-efficacy . Some people may undergo post-traumatic growth , forging stronger relationships, redefining their relationships with new meaning and or spiritual purpose, and gaining a deeper appreciation for life. It may sound contradictory, but post-traumatic growth can exist right alongside PTSD.
Many factors are associated with resilience to trauma . Researchers have identified attributes of individuals that prevent the development of PTSD, and they have also found that various features of social context can provide important protections. Studies show that six psychosocial factors promote resilience in individuals: optimism, cognitive flexibility, active coping skills, maintaining a supportive social network , attending to one's physical well-being, and embracing a personal moral compass and sense of purpose. In addition, establishing a sense of safety is critical for overcoming the effects of trauma.
How Is Trauma Treated?
It is important to remember that most people will recover from the feelings of distress that typically accompany a traumatic experience. Symptoms will abate with time—for some, it will take days; for others, weeks; and still others, a few months. Two of the most important elements fostering recovery are the establishment of a sense of safety and the provision of social support.
In addition, lifestyle factors can promote recovery. Eating healthy, exercising, avoiding alcohol and drugs, getting enough sleep, seeing loved ones regularly, and engaging in self-care can help relieve trauma symptoms. Talking about the event , especially sharing feelings with others who have undergone the experience, may also be helpful.
Often in the immediate wake of catastrophes and other traumatic events, the desire to help people manage their distress and to prevent future psychological problems has led to the practice of psychological debriefing, in which individuals are encouraged to recollect the event. However, research finds that debriefing is not only ineffective but can actually be harmful, increasing the risk for eventual depression and PTSD. It is not considered an appropriate mental health intervention in the immediate aftermath of trauma.
Psychological intervention can be helpful for some people in the wake of trauma. Those who stand to benefit are individuals whose symptoms of distress show no signs of abating after one month or whose symptoms become so severe they interfere with everyday functioning. Psychotherapy can help a person build resilience, develop coping skills, and address unresolved feelings that are keeping them stuck. Exposure therapy and cognitive reappraisal therapy are two of the more reliable treatments for trauma and PTSD.
How Can You Support Someone Experiencing Trauma?
One of the best ways to support someone who has experienced trauma is to spend time with them and not avoid them. Companionship can be healing.
It is also important to:
• Acknowledge the event and their reaction to it.
• Listen to the person if they want to talk about it, even if they want to repeat details many times. But don’t force them to talk about it.
Explore More About Trauma
For a comprehensive understanding of trauma, read our complete guide: