In the last post, we explored how trauma affects the brain; however, I didn’t clarify what the difference is between ACEs and trauma. You can think of ACEs as the event that occurs to a child. Whether or not the ACE turns into a trauma depends on the risk factors—influencing the child to develop trauma—and protective factors—influencing the child to develop resilience—that a child has in their life. This will be addressed further in the fifth part of the trauma post series.
It is common for people to mix up ACEs and trauma. You may have heard people talk about “big T trauma” and “little T traumas.” Trauma is a word commonly used in American society and is generally associated with people who experience or survive through situations of violence, abuse, neglect, natural disasters, or other intense experiences, also known as “big T traumas.” “Little T traumas” are considered to be things like a break-up, an unexpected job change, a divorce, a car accident, a betrayal, etc. Unfortunately, “little T traumas” are downplayed by many people because they don’t compare to the up front and in-your face big events, which may cause people to dismiss your experience.
Trauma, in its simplest definition, is any life experience that is overwhelming, confusing, or too much for your brain and body to process at one time. An advantage of this definition is that it eliminates the comparison of basically how bad your trauma is and counts it as significant, be it personal or on a larger scale.
Are there different types of trauma?
Yes, there are. Trauma is commonly categorized into two categories, acute and chronic trauma. Acute trauma is when a situation has happened once, whereas chronic trauma is chronic, or repeated over time. Types of trauma include, but are not limited to, interpersonal, spiritual, vicarious, and systemic, which can be single or multi-episode events. Chronic trauma can also impact children developmentally, where a child is abused or neglected and this affects their brain development. This is known as “complex trauma” which can then lead to “developmental trauma.” Read more about these different types below the table.
Trauma is commonly categorized into two categories, acute and chronic trauma. Acute trauma is when a situation has happened once, whereas chronic trauma is chronic, or repeated over time.
Acute Trauma
Acute trauma refers to a single, intense event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. This category includes incidents such as accidents, natural disasters, assaults, or witnessing a violent act. The suddenness and severity of acute trauma can lead to shock, disbelief, and a range of physical and emotional reactions. Individuals may experience symptoms such as flashbacks, nightmares, or heightened anxiety in response to reminders of the traumatic event.
Chronic Trauma
In contrast to acute trauma, chronic trauma involves prolonged exposure to stressful or traumatic circumstances over an extended period. Examples include ongoing abuse, neglect, domestic violence, or living in environments marked by instability or danger. Chronic trauma can erode a person’s sense of safety, trust, and well-being, leading to complex psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Complex Trauma
Complex trauma refers to the cumulative impact of multiple traumatic experiences, often occurring within interpersonal relationships or across various contexts. This category encompasses elements of acute, chronic, developmental, and interpersonal trauma. Complex trauma can result in a range of complex psychological symptoms, including dissociation, identity disturbances, and difficulties in regulating emotions and forming healthy attachments.
Intergenerational Trauma
Intergenerational trauma occurs when a caregiver, guardian, or parent has experienced trauma and this trauma is passed down to the next generation. This can manifest through words (i.e., verbal or emotional abuse), behaviors (i.e., causing more abuse or neglect), or mindsets (i.e., the world is bad). Intergenerational trauma is common among refugee, war victims, and grandparent raising grandchildren populations.
Developmental Trauma
Developmental trauma occurs during critical stages of childhood, where a person’s psychological maturity is progressing. Developmental trauma is commonly a result of early neglect, emotional abuse, or caregiver instability. Developmental trauma can have profound effects on brain development, emotional regulation, and interpersonal relationships. These effects affect the person not only in the moment, but throughout their life.
Interpersonal Trauma
Interpersonal trauma is probably one of the more well known types of trauma. Interpersonal trauma is rooted within relationships and examples include physical or sexual assault, intimate partner violence, bullying, or betrayal by a trusted individual. This type of trauma can negatively impact a person’s sense of safety, trust, and autonomy, leading to feelings of shame, guilt, and worthlessness. Healing from interpersonal trauma often involves rebuilding a sense of safety and reclaiming agency in healthy relationships such as in therapeutic, extra-curricular coaching, or worship settings.
Spiritual Trauma
Spiritual trauma arises from experiences that challenge or violate an individual’s spiritual beliefs, values, or sense of meaning and purpose. This category includes experiences such as religious abuse, spiritual exploitation, or loss of faith due to traumatic events. Spiritual trauma can lead to existential questioning, loss of trust in religious institutions, and struggles with existential despair. Healing from spiritual trauma often involves reconnecting with one’s beliefs, seeking spiritual support, and engaging in practices that foster meaning and connection.
Vicarious Trauma
Vicarious trauma occurs when individuals are exposed to the traumatic experiences of others, often in helping professions (i.e., mental or medical health) or caregiving roles (i.e., foster parents, adoptive parents). Constant exposure to others’ suffering can lead to emotional exhaustion, compassion fatigue, and secondary traumatic stress. Ways to mitigate vicarious trauma include setting boundaries and doing things that promote self-care.
Systemic Trauma
Systemic trauma results from societal or institutional factors that perpetuate oppression, discrimination, and injustice. This category encompasses experiences such as racism, sexism, homophobia, or people in low income situations. Systemic trauma disproportionately affects marginalized communities and can have intergenerational effects, perpetuating cycles of trauma and systemic inequities.
Childhood trauma therapy for adults
As a licensed marriage and family therapist, I have received specialized training to treat trauma in adults. If you find yourself having trouble focusing on your present due to memories or experiences from the past, or being present due to intrusive thoughts from yourself or others, let’s talk and discuss how I can help you on your path to change.
