Photo by Kat Smith
Trauma is a broad term that can encompass so many things and that many define differently. Here, at Reclaiming Hope Wellness Center, we help you take a path towards healing both “Big T traumas” and “little t traumas”.
Some examples of Big T traumas are:
- Sexual assault or abuse
- Physical abuse or violence
- Witnessing or experiencing a natural disaster, such as an earthquake or hurricane
- War-related trauma or combat exposure
- Being involved in a serious car accident
- Experiencing a life-threatening illness or medical emergency
- Exposure to terrorism or a terrorist attack
Some examples of little t traumas are:
- Being bullied or harassed at school or work
- Losing a job or experiencing financial difficulties
- Divorce or relationship breakup
- Emotional neglect or abandonment by a caregiver
- Verbal abuse or emotional abuse
- Moving frequently or experiencing homelessness
- Chronic illness or disability
What may be a little t trauma for some, may be a big T trauma for you. Your impact from a traumatic experience depends upon your personal history, your resilience, and your existing coping skills. Traumatic events may have long-lasting effects.
The impact from experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event may cause Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) for some and may impact daily functioning. This can develop months or years later and often includes experiencing intrusive thoughts, nightmares, flashbacks, avoidance of reminders of the experience, and hyperarousal.
Complex-Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (C-PTSD) may develop for some who have experienced repeated or prolonged trauma, particularly before the age of 18, such as chronic physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, neglect, or abandonment. C-PTSD may not have made it into the new Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5 TR), but it is widely recognized by mental health professionals and researchers as a distinct subtype of PTSD.
C-PTSD differs from PTSD in several ways. In addition to the core symptoms of PTSD such as re-experiencing the traumatic event, avoidance, and hyperarousal, C-PTSD may also involve other symptoms such as:
- A sense of helplessness, feeling trapped, or lack of control over one’s life
- Difficulty regulating emotions, including extreme anger, sadness, or shame
- Persistent feelings of shame, guilt, and self-blame
- Difficulty forming and maintaining relationships, feeling disconnected from others
- Distorted self-image or low self-esteem
- Problems with attention, concentration, and memory
- Physical symptoms such as chronic pain, headaches, or gastrointestinal problems
- Dissociation (See Dissociative Disorders)
- C-PTSD can have a significant impact on an individual’s daily life, relationships, and overall well-being. It is important for individuals with C-PTSD to receive appropriate treatment, which may include psychotherapy, medication, and other therapies to help manage their symptoms and improve their quality of life.
Treatment to help you find relief is possible. Working with a therapist, you can learn new coping skills and ways to better manage and lessen your symptoms. Treatment may include traditional talk therapy (psychotherapy) to process what you experienced, narrative therapy, art therapy techniques, mindfulness, meditation and other relaxation techniques, CPT (Cognitive Processing Therapy), EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing), IFS (Internal Family Systems) and other evidence-based modalities.
If you have experienced a traumatic event or events and feel like your ability to enjoy and live your life fully is being hindered, we invite you to reach out for support, one of our therapists can help.
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