Trauma is a deeply distressing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope.
Examples could include events like:
- Witnessing death or serious injury
- Having your life threatened
- A loved one being threatened or harmed
- Sexual trauma
- Physical assault
- Natural disasters with loss of life or death
- Military/combat trauma
- First responder trauma
- Trauma due to accidents or physical injury
- Tragic loss of a loved one
- Traumatic grief
- Medical trauma
- Childhood trauma
- Bullying or emotional abuse
- Relationship trauma and violence in the home
- Identity or discrimination based trauma related to age, disability, race, religion, ethnicity, social economic status, sexual identity, national origin, immigration, gender identity, etc.
- Displacement/immigration trauma
- Repeated exposure to upsetting events as part of your job
- Complex trauma
- Repeated trauma
What is PTSD?
PTSD can develop from traumas that involve death, a threat to life, or actual or threatened sexual violence. These types of events are sadly common, and it is normal for individuals to have symptoms of PTSD following an event like this, but most people will recover from their symptoms if given the right circumstances. When recovery isn’t possible within a month to a year, and symptoms remain, it may be PTSD.
PTSD may be more likely depending on the type of trauma a person has, how many traumas a person has experienced, family history, the amount of support a person receives after a trauma, and other factors.
Attempts to avoid the trauma related memories or emotions, and negative beliefs like blaming oneself for the trauma, can keep PTSD symptoms going. These are the types of things we target in PTSD treatment.
Even if an event didn’t make you fear for your safety at the time, it may still be helpful to talk about it with us.
Symptoms of PTSD
Re-Experiencing
Constant reminders of the trauma like memories, nightmares, and flashbacks. Reacting intensely to things that trigger you, or remind you of trauma. These may feel like panic attacks & you may have difficulty calming yourself down.
Avoidance
Avoiding memories, emotions, and things that might remind you of trauma. This can limit the things you do and can include things like using alcohol, drugs, over-working, or doing other behaviors to avoid emotions.
Negative Thoughts & Emotions
Having a more negative outlook in general. Difficulty feeling safe or trusting other people. Poor self-esteem or blaming yourself for what happened. Isolating yourself. Zoning out or feeling disconnected. Feeling sad, guilty, angry, irritable, or numb, and having a hard time feeling good.
Anxiety/Threat
Always being on guard or vigilant. Being jumpy or easily startled. Having a hard time managing anger. Trouble focusing and difficulty getting a good night's sleep. These can manifest in the body, like through headaches, high blood pressure, stomach problems and/or chronic pain.
Additional Resources
International Society for Traumatic Stress Studies
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Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network (RAINN)
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ABOUTFACE Video Stories from Trauma Survivors
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