What are the different types of trauma?

Nobody wants to experience trauma but it is a sad reality that many people go through some form of trauma in their lives. Whether it is a one-time event or something that happens over a period of time, trauma can have a lasting impact on a person’s mental and emotional health. And while some people recover from their traumatic experiences without any lasting effects, others go on to develop struggles as a result.

A women’s trauma treatment program could help you deal with the lingering effects of your experiences. If you are struggling with the impact of trauma, there is help available. Reach out to Women’s Recovery today at 833.754.0554 for more information.

One way to access what kind of help you need is to determine what level of trauma you have experienced. So, what are the levels of trauma? Experts recognize three main trauma types:

• Acute trauma
• Chronic trauma
• Complex trauma

Acute trauma occurs after a single exposure to a time-limited traumatic experience. Common sources of this form of trauma include:

• Sexual or physical assault
• Natural disasters
• Serious injury and illness
• Exposure to an act of terror
• Sudden or unexpected loss of a parent, child, or other close loved one

Chronic trauma is not a brief, traumatic experience but the end result of prolonged or recurring trauma exposure. Likely sources of chronic trauma include:

• Intimate partner violence
• Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse during childhood
• Childhood neglect
• Exposure to combat or a combat zone
• Certain forms of chronic, or long-term, illness
• Living in a community where public acts of violence are common
• Living in homelessness

Complex trauma does not have just one underlying cause. Instead, it stems from exposure to multiple and diverse forms of traumatic experiences over a lifespan. Possible sources of complex trauma include:

• Repeated or prolonged exposure to domestic violence
• Repeated physical, sexual, or emotional abuse during childhood
• Prolonged exposure to community violence
• Exposure to multiple forms of violence (e.g., intimate partner violence and hate crimes) over the lifespan

The experiences that trigger complex trauma invade your physical space and being. They also tend to be directly inflicted by another person. In addition, they occur most often during childhood.

People who have experienced trauma often develop co-occurring mental health conditions. Any different forms of trauma may eventually result in a mental health condition. A person could go on to develop post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD.

PTSD symptoms include:

• Intrusive thoughts
• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Avoidance
• Anxiety
• Angry outbursts
• Substance use

Another condition, acute stress disorder or ASD, often serves as a precursor to PTSD. Acute stress disorder is when a person experiences a traumatic event and has symptoms of PTSD for up to one month afterward.

PTSD and ASD are not the only conditions associated with exposure to trauma. Others include:

• Anxiety disorders
• Depressive disorders
• Personality disorders
• Self-harm and suicidal ideation

There is a strong correlation between exposure to trauma and the development of substance use and addiction. In fact, the majority of people in recovery for addiction treatment have a history of trauma.

Want more information on the types of lingering trauma? Talk to the specialists at Women’s Recovery. We can also help determine if you will benefit from targeted trauma treatment. We offer programs specifically for women who have experienced trauma. Our programs provide a safe and supportive environment for you to work through your unique trauma experience.

Our customized program allows you to uncover the roots of your unresolved experiences. It also gives you the tools to overcome those experiences and restore your sense of well-being. Don’t go through this alone. Call Women’s Recovery today at 833.754.0554. Our team will help you access the resources and support you need to heal.