Trauma vs. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
What is Trauma?
While most people believe trauma only involves highly distressing or catashtropic events such as military combat, sexual assault, or abuse; the truth is, trauma is any event that is beyond the scope of everyday human experience that threatens the life and well being of an individual and causes disruption in emotional functioning.
There are two primary categories of trauma -“Big T” and “Little t” traumas:
“Big T” traumas are the overtly distressing events that are typically associated with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). “Little t” traumas are events that impact people on a personal level that may fall into subclinical levels of traumatic symptoms that do not meet the criteria for a PTSD diagnosis. Events such as divorce or loss of significant relationships, financial strain, or non-life threatening medical conditions are examples of “little t” traumas. This type of trauma is sometimes overlooked and minimized, although it can be pervasive in one’s life -even when it is not experienced as life threatening. An accumulation of these “little t” events can still be traumatic and lead to trauma reaction symptoms. According to psychologist Elyssa Barbash in Psychology Today, “While one small ‘t’ trauma may not lead to significant distress, multiple compounded small ‘t’ traumas, particularly in a short span of time, are more likely to lead to an increase in distress and trouble with emotional functioning. These traumas may have occurred over the course of one’s life or condensed in the recent past.”
Not every individual who experiences a trauma will develop traumatic symptoms. Two people may experience the same event and have varying emotional responses. Factors such as resilience, past experiences, predisposition, and attachment history determines how an individual is impacted by an event.
As our understanding of trauma advances, we recognize that any event that challenges our existing coping capacities can be traumatic. The distinguishing factor is how the event affects the individual rather than the actual event itself. Trauma is about the impact and how it is remembered in the body.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
People generally develop PTSD after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. Directly experienced traumatic events include, but are not limited to, threatened or actual physical assault, sexual violence, abusive contact, exposure to war, natural or human made disasters, severe motor vehicle accidents, etc. Witnessed events include, but are not limited to, observing threatened or serious injury, unnatural death, or abuse of another person. One can also be indirectly exposed to trauma through learning about a violent or accidental event involving a close relative or friend. According to the National Center for PTSD, approximately 7 or 8 out of every 100 people will experience PTSD during their lifetime.
Symptoms of PTSD
The symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder may vary in frequency and severity. They generally fall under the four following categories:
Intrusive Symptoms
Nightmares and flashbacks of the trauma are common symptoms of PTSD. Patients may feel as though they are living through the traumatic experience all over again.
Avoidant Symptoms
Those facing PTSD tend to avoid people, places, and situations that remind them of their trauma. Often, they will resist discussing the event and how it made them feel.
Cognition and Mood Symptoms
Negative thought patterns and a skewed belief system are common in PTSD patients. These individuals may have a negative self-image or difficulty trusting others. Fear, guilt, and shame are common symptoms as well.
Arousal and Reactivity Symptoms
Arousal and reactivity symptoms often include anxiety, sleep issues, and angry outbursts. PTSD patients may also be easily startled and find it difficult to concentrate on daily tasks.
Diagnosing PTSD
Symptoms usually begin within the first 3 months after the trauma, but in some cases there may be a delay of months or years before the criteria for the diagnosis are met. To be diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder, patients must experience the following symptoms for at least 30 days:
• One or more intrusive symptoms
• One or more avoidance symptoms
• Two or more cognition and mood symptoms
• Two or more arousal and reactivity symptoms
Seeking treatment after PTSD symptom development can help patients improve their overall well-being.
Treating PTSD: The Value of Professional Help
Rather than allowing symptoms of trauma or PTSD to take over your life, you can begin your course of treatment today. Addressing your symptoms early on can improve your daily functioning, self-perception, and relationships with others.
Are you ready to take action and strengthen your psychological health? Contact our Decatur, GA office to schedule a consultation or book an appointment.
