What Counts as Trauma?
Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing event. It can be caused by one-off or ongoing events, being directly harmed, witnessing harm to someone else, or living in a traumatic atmosphere. It is important to understand what counts as trauma so that you can recognize it in yourself and seek help if needed.
Trauma can include events where you feel frightened, under threat, humiliated, rejected, abandoned, invalidated, unsafe, unsupported, or any other feeling of distress. Trauma can also include physical harm, such as being in a car accident or experiencing physical abuse. It can also include psychological harm, such as being exposed to a traumatic event or being the victim of bullying.
Trauma can also be caused by a single event, such as a natural disaster or a violent crime. It can also be caused by ongoing events, such as living in a war zone or experiencing long-term abuse. Trauma can also be caused by a combination of events, such as being the victim of a crime and then being exposed to ongoing violence in the community.
It is important to remember that trauma is not limited to physical or psychological harm. It can also include emotional harm, such as feeling isolated or unsupported, or feeling like you are not in control of your life. Trauma can also include spiritual harm, such as feeling disconnected from your beliefs or feeling like you have lost your sense of purpose.
It is important to remember that everyone experiences trauma differently. What may be traumatic for one person may not be traumatic for another. It is also important to remember that trauma can have long-term effects, such as depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder. If you think you may be experiencing trauma, it is important to seek help from a mental health professional.
