What is Trauma and What are Some of Its Forms?
Trauma refers to the damage done to a person’s brain and emotional state due to a particularly stressful event. The stress is more than the person can handle, so the weight causes negative emotions, thoughts, and behavior. In many cases, this can lead to mental illness and addiction.
Some people mistakenly think that “trauma is trauma”, but that’s not necessarily the case. There are four different forms of trauma:
- acute trauma
- chronic trauma
- complex trauma
- secondary or vicarious trauma
What is Acute Trauma?
Acute trauma is trauma derived from one singular event. For example, a person may experience acute trauma from a horrible car accident. Chronic trauma typically develops after prolonged exposure to trauma. An example of chronic trauma is long-term domestic abuse.
What is Complex Trauma?
Complex trauma is trauma that someone experiences for an extended period of time. However, it also involves vivid, traumatic moments that in themselves would cause trauma. Secondary or vicarious trauma is when someone experiences trauma because of the trauma someone else suffers from. For example, a child watching an abusive relationship even though they were not abused themselves.
Common Causes of Trauma
A wide number of things can cause trauma. Examples of things that can cause trauma include:
- Neglect
- Bullying
- Harassment
- Sexual assault
- Medical trauma
- Being kidnapped
- Acts of terrorism
- Natural disasters
- Historical trauma
- Community violence
- Being robbed or attacked
- Traumatic grief/separation
- Witnessing trauma or crime
- Life-threatening illnesses or events
- System-induced trauma due to situations like being removed from the home
The cause of the trauma will likely have a strong influence on how it impacts a person later in life. For example, someone who experienced a traumatic car crash may have different triggers and fears than someone who lived through abuse. In many cases, trauma-based therapy will try to identify the cause of the trauma to create the best treatment plan.
Recognizing Signs and Symptoms of Trauma
If you or someone you know is suffering from trauma, it’s important to get help. However, you need to recognize the symptoms before you know if there is an issue. There are psychological, behavioral, and physical signs of trauma.
Psychological Signs of Trauma
Psychological signs of trauma are manifestations in a person’s mindset and psyche. Some psychological signs of trauma are:
- anxiety/fear
- shame/guilt
irritability
Behavioral Signs of Trauma
Trauma may even affect the way a person behaves and interacts with others. Some behavioral signs of trauma are:
- withdrawal from friends and family
- alcohol or drug use to self-medicate
- failure to perform home and work responsibilities
Physical Signs of Trauma
Trauma can even take its toll on the body and a person’s appearance. Some physical signs of trauma are:
- fatigue
- heart palpitations
- digestive problems
Effective Trauma Resolution Therapy
If someone has turned to drugs or alcohol as a way to cope with trauma, trauma resolution therapy might be the best option. Trauma-based therapy works to pinpoint the cause of the trauma to cure the addiction. The theory is that when you attack the root of the problem, the results will be more permanent.
Trauma therapy makes a point to care for the patient beyond their addiction while in treatment and after. Contact Grace Land Recovery Center to learn more about trauma therapy and how it can help you or your loved one.
