Understanding Trauma

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional, psychological, and
physical adaptive response to a single or
recurrent distressing event(s), such as an
accident, emotional or physical abuse,
witnessing a crime or violence, grief, the
experience of war, a natural disaster, among
other events. Exposure to these events may
cause a person to experience unwanted
symptoms such as negative or dysregulated
emotions, flashbacks, hypervigilance,
difficulties with sleeping, interpersonal
struggles, along with additional cognitive
and physical disturbances.

What Are The Different Types of Trauma?

Trauma is classified into three different levels or “types” based on the duration
of time a person has been exposed to the distressing event(s), in addition to,
acknowledging an individual's exposure to more than one source of trauma. The
three types include:

1. Acute Trauma: Results from a single, isolated stressful event that leads to

severe distress. The traumatic event is generally severe enough to

threaten a person's sense of emotional or physical security.

Examples include (but are not limited to): Assault, Car Accident, A

Natural Disaster, Rape, Witnessing A Violent or Distressing Event.

Experience of (but not limited to): Excessive Anxiety or Panic,

Confusion, Shock, Numbness, Disbelief, Sleeping Disturbances, Irritability,

Aggression, Feeling Disconnected From Self or Surroundings

(Dissociation), Difficulties Trusting Others, Interpersonal Struggles, Lack

of Care For Personal Hygiene,

2. Chronic Trauma: Results from repeated, long-term, or prolonged exposure

to a distressing, traumatic event(s). If circumstances from acutely a

traumatic situations persist, or symptoms from acute exposure to

trauma go untreated, symptoms may become more severe and transition

into symptoms of chronic trauma.

Examples include (but are not limited to): Bullying, Domestic Violence,

“Toxic” Friendships, Abusive Family Dynamics, Chronic Pain, Illness,

Homelessness, or Exposure to War.

Experience of (but not limited to): Delayed manifestation of symptoms,

anxiety, anger, unpredictable emotional disturbances or outbursts,

flashbacks, body aches, headaches, nausea, interpersonal struggles, or

paranoia.

3. Complex Trauma: Results from the exposure to both acute and chronic

trauma, and contribution of co-occurring disorders. This “type” of trauma

generally involves being exposed to more than one kind of traumatic

event. Exposure to traumatic experiences generally occurs or begins in

early childhood.

Examples include (but are not limited to): Exposure To Early

Developmental Interpersonal Disturbances, Childhood Abuse, Neglect,

Domestic Violence,

Experience of (but not limited to): Overall issues with physical,

cognitive, and emotional health, Relationship Disturbances Later In Life,

and performance issues at work and/or at school.

Sources and
Origin of Trauma

ContaCt Us

Hours of
Operation

Accepted

Insurance
Companies

Our Social
Media Links

Schedule an
Appointment
Today