Trauma is something that, to some degree, all of us experience in one way or another. Trauma doesn't have to be something that has intense shock associated with it. It doesn't always drastically change one's life, but at some level, it can cause one to become overwhelmed, and confused, even in its simplest design. The more drastic traumatic events like sudden death, rape and other forms of physical abuse, and personal attacks can have significantly more impact on a person physically, emotionally, and psychologically, than, say, witnessing a car accident where no one was injured.

To understand trauma, it is important to understand the brains survival response, something known as “fight or flight”. The immediate response to a traumatic event lies in the brain's survival response becoming activated. The body's natural fight or flight response is something that should last for a very short interval, usually a few moments to a few minutes. This does happen following a traumatic event, however, as we will see in later chapters, there are times when the fight or flight response continues long after the event has ended.

Trauma Classifications

Trauma can take many forms. Sometimes it stems from a single incident that causes an initial shock—this may be brief and come without obvious physical or emotional signs of distress. In other cases, trauma is more intense, affecting the nervous system, thought patterns, and emotions more deeply. Without support, significant trauma can have long-lasting impacts on a person's life. Additionally, someone might experience multiple traumatic events over time; for instance, early life trauma may later be compounded by another event, with each building upon the last. Now, let’s examine the three most common types of trauma.

Acute or Single-Event Trauma––A reaction to an intense, specific incident, such as an accident, assault, or natural disaster. Symptoms like anxiety and dissociation can appear right away, and Acute Stress Disorder (ASD) may be diagnosed in the short term. Treatment commonly includes psychotherapy, particularly Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), which focuses on helping people manage problems by changing negative thought patterns and behaviors. CBT operates on the idea that thoughts, feelings, and actions are interconnected, so altering unhelpful thinking can improve emotions and behaviors.

Another effective therapy for PTSD is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR). This structured, eight-phase treatment uses bilateral stimulation—like eye movements or tapping—to help the brain reprocess traumatic memories and lessen their impact. While EMDR is best known for treating PTSD, it also helps with anxiety, panic disorder, phobias, and low self-esteem. Support groups for PTSD can provide additional help.

Chronic Trauma––Ongoing or repeated exposure to traumatic events, especially when escape isn’t possible—like during long-term childhood abuse, domestic violence, or war. This kind of experience can result in Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD), where individuals not only face typical PTSD symptoms but also struggle with managing emotions, understanding themselves, and maintaining relationships. Common symptoms include flashbacks, being constantly on edge, avoiding reminders of trauma, and shifts in mood, thinking, and responsiveness.

Complex Trauma––Exposure to multiple, diverse traumatic events occurring over an extended duration, frequently involving interpersonal harm such as abuse or neglect, and often originating in childhood. This form of trauma significantly impacts individual development and can manifest as challenges with emotional regulation, difficulties establishing trust, diminished self-esteem, and dissociative symptoms. Treatment for complex trauma generally requires a multifaceted approach, involving various therapeutic modalities and, in some cases, pharmacological intervention.

Trauma encompasses a spectrum, ranging from relatively mild shocks that are transient and may be alleviated through discussion or the passage of time, to more complex and multifaceted forms that can result in enduring and debilitating changes in an individual’s life. As previously noted, trauma is a universal experience; it can stem from events that, with adequate support from friends or, when appropriate, professional counseling, have only minimal impact on our well-being. Conversely, severe trauma may induce intense fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive emotions that can persistently and negatively affect a person’s attitudes, behaviors, and overall functioning.

Everyone may experience trauma at some point, so it's valuable to understand what trauma is and how you respond to it. While some people easily cope with major events, others hold on to powerful emotional experiences that can seriously influence their lives. Whether you've faced trauma yourself, know someone who has, or simply want to learn more, take the time to inform yourself about this serious condition. There are many resources available online. If you notice any physical symptoms, be sure to see your primary care physician.