Trauma is a psychological response to an event or series of events that cause physical, emotional, and/or mental harm. The effects of trauma can be short- or long-term, and severity can vary depending on the individual. Research shows us thattrauma can affect everyone differently. There are several trauma types to know about. Read on to learn about each of them.
What Are the Different Types of Trauma?
When we think of psychological trauma, we often think of a single event that causes great harm or pain. However, different types of traumas can occur throughout our lives. Trauma isn’t limited to physical events; it can also be emotional or psychological in nature. Some common trauma symptoms can include:
While most people are familiar with the concept of trauma, many are unaware of the different types of trauma that exist. Trauma can be classified as acute, chronic, or complex.
1. Acute trauma
Acute trauma is a psychological trauma that occurs in response to a single, highly stressful event. For example, it can come after experiencing a natural disaster, seeing a bad car accident, or witnessing violence. Acute trauma can lead to long-term mental health problems if not appropriately addressed.
Acute trauma can come from a single event threatening your life or safety. It can also result from an act of violence against you or after witnessing a traumatic event happening to someone else.
This type of trauma can lead to acute stress disorder (ASD), which is a mental health condition typically appearing within 3 days of a traumatizing event and lasting up to 1 month.
2. Chronic trauma
Chronic trauma is a response to ongoing or repeated traumatic experiences. It differs from acute trauma in this sense, as acute trauma occurs after just one traumatic experience or event.
Chronic trauma can result from any of the following:
3. Complex trauma
Complex trauma is a type of stress similar togenerational traumathat can occur when someone experiences multiple, chronic, or prolonged exposure to traumatizing events. It can happen to both children and adults. However, complex traumas likeabandonment trauma, for example, are more common among those who experienced abuse or neglect during childhood.
Complex trauma can cause long-term problems with physical and mental health. Forming and maintaining healthy relationships can also be very isolating and challenging.
Complex trauma can harm mental and physical health due to repeated, continued traumatization. It can be the result of things like:
Common Causes of TraumaTrauma can come from many places or experiences. It can happen to anyone at any time and has lasting effects. Some sources of trauma might include the following:Witnessing or experiencing violenceWitnessing or being directly involved in a violent act can be traumatizing. It might include seeing or experiencing domestic abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, war combat, or anything else that’s graphic and violent.Being involved in or witnessing a serious accidentA shocking accident can be jarring and cause trauma, whether you’re directly involved or just a witness to it.AbusePhysical, sexual, or emotional abuse can all be factors that lead to a traumatic response.AssaultRape or a violent assault can be the source of a traumatic reaction, whether you’re the one who experienced the attack or someone close to you did.Natural disastersEarthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, or any other natural disaster can be more than just frightening. They can be traumatic, especially if they cause death, displacement, or food or housing insecurity.DeathDeath — especially if it’s sudden or unexpected — of a loved one can be traumatic for anyone to cope with.If you or someone you love has experienced any of the types of traumas we’ve discussed here, seeking professional help can be instrumental in learning to cope with the aftermath and healing. Trauma isn’t something you have to go through alone, and certain coping mechanisms liketrauma dumpingcan do more harm than good.“Determining who will develop a trauma-related disorder is incredibly difficult, as every person will respond to traumatic incidents in their own unique ways. It’s important to note that some people may experience an event as highly traumatic, while others may not experience the same event as traumatic. If you’re dealing with the effects of trauma, finding a trauma-informed therapist is an excellent option.”–Talkspace therapist Ashley Ertel, LCSW, BCD, C-DBT
Common Causes of Trauma
Trauma can come from many places or experiences. It can happen to anyone at any time and has lasting effects. Some sources of trauma might include the following:
Witnessing or experiencing violence
Witnessing or being directly involved in a violent act can be traumatizing. It might include seeing or experiencing domestic abuse, sexual assault, child abuse, war combat, or anything else that’s graphic and violent.
Being involved in or witnessing a serious accident
A shocking accident can be jarring and cause trauma, whether you’re directly involved or just a witness to it.
Abuse
Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse can all be factors that lead to a traumatic response.
Assault
Rape or a violent assault can be the source of a traumatic reaction, whether you’re the one who experienced the attack or someone close to you did.
Natural disasters
Earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, wildfires, or any other natural disaster can be more than just frightening. They can be traumatic, especially if they cause death, displacement, or food or housing insecurity.
Death
Death — especially if it’s sudden or unexpected — of a loved one can be traumatic for anyone to cope with.
If you or someone you love has experienced any of the types of traumas we’ve discussed here, seeking professional help can be instrumental in learning to cope with the aftermath and healing. Trauma isn’t something you have to go through alone, and certain coping mechanisms liketrauma dumpingcan do more harm than good.
“Determining who will develop a trauma-related disorder is incredibly difficult, as every person will respond to traumatic incidents in their own unique ways. It’s important to note that some people may experience an event as highly traumatic, while others may not experience the same event as traumatic. If you’re dealing with the effects of trauma, finding a trauma-informed therapist is an excellent option.”
Learn How to Cope with Trauma with TalkspaceIt’s important to be aware of the different trauma types so you can understand how they might impact your mental and physical health. If you’re struggling with the aftermath of trauma, please know that you’re not alone. Many people have been through similar experiences and understand what you’re going through, and therapy can help you heal.When it comes tohow to deal with trauma, onlinetrauma therapywith Talkspace can make the process of getting help simple. In just a few clicks, you’ll be connected with a therapist who understands what you’re going through. Talkspace therapists are experienced in trauma therapy and can help you work through your feelings and recover from traumatic experiences you’ve endured.
Learn How to Cope with Trauma with Talkspace
It’s important to be aware of the different trauma types so you can understand how they might impact your mental and physical health. If you’re struggling with the aftermath of trauma, please know that you’re not alone. Many people have been through similar experiences and understand what you’re going through, and therapy can help you heal.
When it comes tohow to deal with trauma, onlinetrauma therapywith Talkspace can make the process of getting help simple. In just a few clicks, you’ll be connected with a therapist who understands what you’re going through. Talkspace therapists are experienced in trauma therapy and can help you work through your feelings and recover from traumatic experiences you’ve endured.
Sources:
Our goal at Talkspace is to provide the most up-to-date, valuable, and objective information on mental health-related topics in order to help readers make informed decisions.
Articles contain trusted third-party sources that are either directly linked to in the text or listed at the bottom to take readers directly to the source.
Share0Tweet0Pin it3
Share0
Tweet0
Pin it3
