What qualifies as trauma?

In general, trauma can be defined as a psychological, emotional response to an event or an experience that is deeply distressing or disturbing. When loosely applied, this trauma definition can refer to something upsetting, such as being involved in an accident, having an illness or injury, losing a loved one, or going through a divorce. However, it can also encompass the far extreme and include experiences that are severely damaging, such as rape or torture.

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) describes individual trauma as an event or circumstance resulting in:

• physical harm

• emotional harm

• and/or life-threatening harm

The event or circumstance has lasting adverse effects on the individual's:

• mental health

• physical health

• emotional health

• social well-being

• and/or spiritual well-being
  

Who is affected by trauma?

Trauma has no boundaries regarding age, gender, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. Trauma is a common experience for adults and children in American communities, and it is especially common in the lives of people with mental and substance use disorders. For this reason, the need to address trauma is increasingly seen as an important part of effective behavioral health care and an integral part of the healing and recovery process.

What are the symptoms of trauma?

Often, shock and denial are typical reactions to a traumatic event. Over time, these emotional responses may fade, but a survivor may also experience reactions long-term. These can include:

• Anger

• Persistent feelings of sadness and despair

• Flashbacks

• Unpredictable emotions

• Physical symptoms, such as nausea and headaches

• Intense feelings of guilt, as if they are somehow responsible for the event

• An altered sense of shame

• Feelings of isolation and hopelessness
  

What is complex trauma?

Complex trauma happens repetitively. It often results in direct harm to the individual. The effects of complex trauma are cumulative. The traumatic experience frequently transpires within a particular time frame or within a specific relationship, and often in a specific setting.

The Four Fs: Fight, Flight, Fawn, Freeze

The nervous system has a variety of responses developed over millennia as survival tactics and techniques.

Fight is the fear state of rising up to protect ones self. In a trauma response, someone in Fight may appear aggressive or high conflict in their communication.

Flight refers to the fear state’s desire to flee. This can be achieved through literal flight (running away) or through avoidant behaviors like withdrawing or overworking.

Fawn is a fear state managed by seeking to please others in order to avoid conflict. In a trauma response, this may look like merging with another’s thoughts, desires, or preferences and losing touch with one’s own self.

Freeze is the fear response process of shutting down and becoming immobilized. In a trauma response, this may be seen as dissociation or “checking out”.

For an excellent and more in-depth article by relationship coach Julie Nguyen on the four Fs, go here.