5 Essential Things to Know about Trauma

Trauma is one of the most common mental health challenges and, unfortunately, has become more deeply embedded in the basic human experience.

Approximately 70 percent of the global population of adults, as well as those within the United States, experience at least one traumatic event that will have a lasting psychological impact. In other words, we’re all in this together. 

Where we all differ, however, is the degree to which our trauma affects us, its scope and severity, how we’re able to manage it, and what it brings to our future perceptions, relationships, and experiences. Whether you’re navigating a single short-term traumatic experience or have been living with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) for years, here are five essential things to know about trauma as you endeavor to move forward. 

It Happened

Many people cope with trauma by “blocking it out” or denying its existence within the narrative of their lives. Whether it’s legitimate dissociative amnesia or just “refusing to be a victim” as so many do out of shame or stigma, it’s important to unlock and process trauma not only as a validation of your dignity and personhood but also to keep it from impacting your future relationships and potential in life. 

It’s important to remember that these experiences generally occur through no fault of your own, and there is no shame in admitting that something happened to you that you couldn’t control. It’s also important to remember that you can take back control of trauma by acknowledging it and facing it head-on.

It Looks Different for Everyone

There’s no one templated path to trauma. Some of the more common examples include singular or repetitive physical/sexual assault, an auto accident, a combat wound or injury, and other acutely traumatic experiences, but poverty, bullying, a dysfunctional family dynamic, social isolation, and other persistent factors can also be traumatic. 

Many people get hung up on labeling their experiences as trauma because they aren’t sure that what they’ve experienced qualifies, but all types of trauma can have lasting and even life-changing impacts. In any case, you deserve validation and recognition of your struggles and certainly don’t have to gaslight yourself to protect anyone’s feelings or comfort. 

It’s Different from PTSD…But Also Very Similar 

While the two terms are often used interchangeably and certainly closely linked, trauma is different from PTSD. PTSD is a collection of negative symptoms and behaviors that emerge out of a singular or repetitive traumatic experience. Simply put, trauma is the factor that leads to the condition of PTSD, much like how dysregulated blood glucose can lead to diabetes. Again, nearly all types of trauma can cause PTSD, but symptoms may vary according to the intensity, duration and context of the experience. Symptoms of PTSD range from mild to severe, including but not limited to: 

• Intrusive thoughts
• Nightmares
• Avoiding reminders of the event
• Memory loss or blocking 
• Self-isolation
• Fear and hypervigilance
• Insomnia
• Vivid flashbacks
• Casting blame
• High-risk behaviors
• Suspicion and cynicism toward the world

Many of these symptoms can develop as a way of trying to cope with or process trauma in one’s own way. 

It Shows Up Where It’s Least Expected (and Wanted)

There’s a saying that when a person enters a room, they bring their entire life with them, and this is especially true of our physiological traumatic responses. Whether we like it or not, our brains and even our bodies have a way of letting us know that we’ve experienced trauma when we enter into new situations, but what does that look like? For many, it means the inability to trust or form healthy relationships. For others, it can mean not feeling confident enough to go after what you want because you don’t think you’re good enough. 

It Doesn’t Have to Win

The good news is that your trauma doesn’t have to define you. Self-awareness and the willingness to confront your traumatic experiences in treatment can help you move forward. Just like its origins, treatment for trauma is different for everyone. Some people may benefit from ongoing outpatient therapy and counseling; others may need a more intensive and targeted treatment plan that includes techniques like EMDR, brain mapping, and family-of-origin therapy. 

Recovery Unplugged Behavioral offers expert, compassionate, evidence-based treatment for trauma and PTSD. Whether you’re just starting to realize the impact that your trauma is having on your life or it has led to self-destructive behavior like self-harm or substance abuse, our doctors and therapists are ready to help you reclaim your peace of mind. We offer inpatient, outpatient, and online treatment for a personalized care experience. We provide a safe, discreet, and comfortable space for patients to address and manage their experiences without fear of judgment, gaslighting, or shame. Get the help you need now at one of our facilities across the country.