​Trauma​​

​Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that can overwhelm your ability to cope or make you feel unsafe or powerless. It’s a normal reaction to an abnormal situation, where your emotional, physical, or psychological well-being is impacted in such a way that it can have lasting effects on your thoughts, emotions, and behaviour.

Trauma can be caused by a wide variety of events. These events can range from experiencing or witnessing accidents, natural disasters, or violence, to going through difficult personal experiences such as abuse, loss, or betrayal. The commonality among these experiences is that they change the way you think about yourself, other people, or the world.​

 

Types of Trauma

1. Acute Trauma: This type of trauma is caused by a single, intense event that disrupts your sense of safety and security. Examples include a car accident, physical assault, or witnessing a traumatic event. Acute trauma can have a powerful emotional and physical impact, but the effects may diminish with time, especially if you receive support and care.

2. Chronic Trauma: Chronic trauma occurs when a person is exposed to long-term or repeated traumatic events. This can include ongoing abuse, living in an unsafe environment, or dealing with persistent stress or illness. The prolonged exposure to these experiences can lead to more complex and lasting effects on a person's mental health and well-being.

3. Complex Trauma: Complex trauma refers to repeated, multiple, and often interpersonal traumatic experiences, particularly those that occur in childhood. This can involve repeated exposure to abuse, neglect, or abandonment, and often results in deep emotional wounds. People with complex trauma may struggle with feelings of shame, distrust, and difficulty forming healthy relationships.

4. Vicarious Trauma: This type of trauma happens when someone is indirectly affected by the trauma of others. For example, healthcare workers, first responders, or family members of those who have experienced trauma may begin to experience their own distress and emotional strain by being exposed to others' traumatic experiences.

 

The impacts of trauma are multifaceted and long lasting. They may appear immediately after the event or emerge over time. Traumatic experiences can also accumulate over time.

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Psychological Impacts of Trauma

1. Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):  PTSD occurs when the emotional response to a traumatic event becomes overwhelming, leading to symptoms such as intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, and hyperarousal.​

2. Anxiety and Panic Attacks: You may experience generalized anxiety, constantly feeling uneasy or fearful without a clear reason. For some people, trauma can also trigger panic attacks, which are sudden and intense episodes of fear or discomfort, often accompanied by physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, shortness of breath, and dizziness. Over time, these heightened anxiety responses can make it challenging to feel safe in everyday life.

3. Depression and Emotional Numbness: Depression may manifest as a loss of interest in activities once enjoyed, feeling emotionally numb, or experiencing a lack of motivation. Many people also have difficulty identifying or expressing their emotions.

4. Guilt, Shame, and Self-Blame: After a traumatic event, it’s common to feel guilt or shame, even if you weren’t responsible for the trauma. These feelings of self-blame can become overwhelming and can affect self-worth. 

5. Difficulty Trusting Others: Trauma, particularly relational trauma such as abuse or betrayal, can make it difficult to trust others. . This can lead to issues with intimacy and emotional closeness, as well as avoidance of social interactions.

6. Negative Thought Patterns: Trauma can alter the way you view yourself, others, and the world around you.  These negative thoughts can prevent you from living fully, as they can create barriers to seeking help, forming relationships, or pursuing personal goals. 

7. Memory and Concentration Issues: The mind may be overwhelmed by the emotional intensity of the trauma, leading to cognitive disruptions like forgetting things, having trouble staying focused, or feeling like your mind is “foggy.” This can make it difficult to manage daily responsibilities, work, or school.

 

Behavioural Impacts of Trauma

1. Avoidance Behaviours: In an attempt to avoid the pain associated with traumatic memories, survivors often engage in avoidance behaviours. These can include avoiding certain places, people, or activities that remind them of the trauma. 

2. Substance Abuse: Some individuals turn to substances, such as alcohol or drugs, to numb the intense emotions caused by trauma. 

 

Physiological Impacts of Trauma

1. Chronic Stress Response: Trauma can trigger a constant state of "fight or flight," activating the body’s stress response system. 

2. Sleep Disturbances: Nightmares, flashbacks, and the heightened state of alertness associated with PTSD can lead to insomnia or fragmented sleep. 

3. Physical Pain: Some trauma survivors experience physical pain without a clear medical cause. For some, unresolved emotional pain can manifest as physical symptoms.

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Social and Relational Impacts of Trauma

1. Difficulty in Relationships: Trauma can have a significant impact on your ability to connect with others. You may struggle with intimacy, communication, or emotional closeness in relationships. Trust issues can make it difficult to feel safe and supported by others. In romantic relationships, trauma can lead to patterns of avoidance, conflict, or codependency.

2. Social Isolation: Survivors of trauma often withdraw from social interactions, whether due to feelings of shame, fear, or a desire to avoid reminders of the traumatic event. This isolation can create feelings of loneliness and make it more difficult to reach out for support.

3. Parenting Challenges: Trauma can affect the way individuals approach parenting. Survivors of trauma may have difficulty providing emotional support, setting boundaries, or feeling emotionally available to their children. In some cases, trauma survivors may be overly protective of their children to try to prevent them from experiencing similar trauma.

 

How Can Therapy Help?

If the impacts of traumatic experiences are getting in the way of living the life you want to live, therapy can help. At Resolution Psychology we offer a variety of evidence-based treatments for trauma symptoms. Your therapist will work with you to determine the type of therapy that best fits your unique needs and goals.

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*Disclaimer: This webpage is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice. If you are experiencing mental health challenges, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment recommendations.*