What Is Trauma?

Trauma comes in many forms, impacting people in deeply personal ways. What may feel like a momentary setback to one person can mark a lifetime of struggle for another. These differing responses to trauma make treatment more complex. It’s important to understand each person’s experience, regardless of the severity of their trauma.

Trauma can result from any event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. According to the National Child Traumatic Stress Network, nearly 25% of children in the U.S. experience at least one traumatic event by age 16 (National Child Traumatic Stress Network), while approximately 70% of adults worldwide will experience some form of trauma in their lifetimes (World Health Organization).

The effects of trauma can extend far beyond the initial event, potentially leading to long-term mental and physical health issues. Depression, anxiety, substance use disorders and even chronic illnesses such as heart disease or autoimmune conditions have been linked to unresolved trauma.

Trauma is classified in three ways:

• Acute trauma stems from a single overwhelming event, such as a natural disaster or an assault. It’s often sudden, shocking and disorienting, lasting from 1–3 months.
• Chronic trauma results from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that lasts longer than three months. While most people eventually improve, for some, symptoms tend to worsen over time instead of get better.
• Complex trauma is a term used to describe exposure to multiple traumatic events, often interpersonal in nature, that occur over time and are deeply invasive. For instance, a child experiencing years of neglect and abuse in different areas of life may carry a complex web of trauma into adulthood.

When trauma reaches a certain severity, it can manifest as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD is marked by symptoms like flashbacks, intrusive memories, avoidance of triggers, heightened anxiety and emotional numbness. But not all trauma results in PTSD, and not all people who struggle with trauma fit neatly into diagnostic categories. It’s important to remember that trauma’s impact exists on a spectrum, and its effects are valid no matter where they fall.

Ultimately, there is no trauma “too small” for which to seek help. If something continues to bother you, disrupt your well-being, or affect your daily life, you deserve support. Healing starts when we allow ourselves to acknowledge the pain and seek the resources we need.