What is Trauma?

Our nervous system and bodies are amazing, intelligent, and intentional where they are always working to protect us. Central to this protection is our Autonomic Nervous System, a sophisticated internal mechanism overseeing numerous automatic functions like digestion and heart rate regulation. Additionally, it serves as our protector, continuously processing and responding to our life experiences.

When we encounter stressors or traumatic experiences that overwhelms our nervous system making it difficult to cope, our resilient nervous system activates survival mechanisms to shield us from harm and keeps us safe. However, the same protective mechanism can inadvertently keep people trapped in cycles of traumatic memory. It leaves an imprint in our bodies and is ingrained in these defensive states for longer than it needs to, leading to the onset of chronic distress, depression, anxiety, persistent health issues, emotional challenges, and more.

Trauma is often discussed in relation to significant, life-changing occurrences like the abrupt loss of a loved one, a devastating natural disaster, or being in combat or war. However, it's important to recognize that trauma manifests in various forms and magnitudes. While these major events certainly constitute trauma, seemingly “minor” events can also have a profound impact.

There are many events or experiences that can create an imprint in the body and be known as a trauma.

Below are some examples of what is considered a trauma, that may go unnoticed:

Being bullied

Feeling unloved as a child

Emotional abuse or Neglect

Divorce

Moving a lot

Having people close to you leave

Having a parent who expects perfection

Living in a high-conflict family environment

This accumulation of traumas is sometimes known as Chronic Trauma or Complex Trauma.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD):

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a condition arising from exposure to a traumatic event or series of events that evoke feelings of shock, threat, and danger, either physically or emotionally. It is not just as a psychological condition, but as a physiological condition rooted in the body’s inability to fully process and release traumatic energy. Trauma is the result of the body’s instinctual responses (like fight, flight, or freeze) becoming stuck. When the body is unable to complete these responses, the nervous system remains in a heightened state of arousal, leading to the symptoms of PTSD.These symptoms may include hypervigilance, flashbacks, emotional numbing, and dissociation.

This means that sensations, emotions, thoughts, and sensory details can persist as if the event just occurred, regardless of how much time has passed. When memories remain in this raw, unprocessed state, it can lead to various problems and symptoms including PTSD.

While everyone has both positive and negative emotional memories, those linked to events leading to PTSD are typically characterized by fear, pain, and sometimes anger. You could be going about your day, perhaps shopping, when suddenly, you feel disconnected from your surroundings, experiencing vivid sensations, images, or emotions related to the original trauma event. These intrusive flashbacks make it challenging to concentrate on tasks, engage with others, or feel at ease without anxiety or distress. Nightmares, whether resembling the initial trauma or symbolic in nature, are also common experiences for many.

People who experience PTSD symptoms often adopt avoidance strategies to dodge reminders of the trauma, avoiding people, places, activities, or thoughts associated with it. This avoidance can lead to a decline in engagement with once-enjoyed activities and relationships, causing strains in personal connections. Additionally, individuals may notice an increase in negative thoughts and feelings, accompanied by a limited capacity to express love and affection towards loved ones.

PTSD can also manifest in various behavioral and emotional changes, such as irritability, anger outbursts, concentration difficulties, and sleep disturbances. Some may become hyperaware of their surroundings (hypervigilance) while others may resort to increased substance use or risky behaviors like reckless driving or promiscuity.

Despite its profound impact, it's important to note that PTSD is treatable, offering hope for recovery and overall life improvement.

Complex PTSD (C-PTSD):

Complex PTSD occurs when someone experiences repeated trauma over a long period of time. While PTSD typically arises from a singular traumatic incident, C-PTSD stems from the enduring impact of multiple, prolonged, or recurring traumas, often termed as "complex trauma”, such as persistent bullying, chronic abuse or neglect, or intimate partner violence.

While C-PTSD can affect anyone exposed to long-term trauma, it tends to be more prevalent in individuals who endured traumatic experiences during developmental stages or suffered abuse by individuals they trusted, like caregivers. Consequently, this deeply impacts the attachment and relational experiences.

C-PTSD results from many experiences, but some examples are:

Child Abuse or Neglect/Abandonment

Repeated exposure to disaster, accidents, deaths or violence

Domestic Abuse

Long-term exposure to bullying

Having to witness ongoing abuse or violence of another