I’ve noticed that on social media platforms like Instagram and TikTok, in media on TV and in movies, the word trauma gets thrown around a LOT. With this, I’ve heard more and more people say that they’re traumatized or have trauma in casual situations, for example, when someone doesn’t get the right coffee order.

The reality we face is that the world we are living in is an inherently traumatizing environment. We are witnessing a genocide in real time, we are still coping with the aftermath of a global pandemic, and we live in a society that is built upon structures of the oppression of marginalized groups through systems that are not only unsupportive, but work against them. Bringing more attention to understanding trauma is essential for destigmatizing and reducing shame, and can provide an opening to important conversations. This being said, it’s important to understand what trauma is, so we make sure we are using this word in the right context.

So what is trauma? Well- the American Psychological Association defines trauma as: “any disturbing experience that results in significant fear, helplessness, dissociation, confusion, or other disruptive feelings intense enough to have a long-lasting negative effect on a person’s attitudes, behavior, and other aspects of functioning. Traumatic events include those caused by human behavior (e.g., rape, war, industrial accidents) as well as by nature (e.g., earthquakes) and often challenge an individual’s view of the world as a just, safe, and predictable place (APA, 2018).”

Let’s break that down. This definition provides a guideline for mental health professionals to understand a person’s psychological state, and guide treatment. It is extremely important to note that this definition is not all-inclusive.

Trauma is different for each person, what is traumatic for one person might not be for another, and vice versa. This definition does not invalidate or minimize the pain and trauma that you might have experienced.

Trauma can be physical, emotional, or both. Trauma can happen when we experience very stressful, frightening or distressing events that are difficult to cope with or out of our control.

It could be one incident, or an ongoing event that happens over a long period of time. There are three types of trauma that mental health professionals commonly refer to in terms of intensity levels: acute, chronic, and complex.

Acute trauma happens in response to a single incident, such as a car crash. Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged exposure to a traumatizing stimulus, for example, experiencing bullying or abuse from a parental figure at home.

Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, over a period of time, which are typically invasive and interpersonal in nature, for example, experiencing sexual trauma in childhood, and then experiencing domestic violence later in life (Center for HealthCare Strategies, 2021).

It is possible to experience multiple types of trauma severity at different points in time, depending on the initial trauma event. Again, it is important to acknowledge that these definitions and classifications can be limiting, and are meant to help mental health professionals guide treatment that will best meet a person’s needs.

Ultimately, YOU are the expert of your experiences and the validity of the impact trauma has had on you is not dependent on the categorization of severity.

When people think of trauma, we think of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in relation to mental health. Sometimes, people use the word trauma and PTSD interchangeably.

PTSD is not a definition of trauma, and it is not an accurate way to determine if someone has experienced trauma. It is also important to note that not all trauma leads to PTSD.

Trauma is so prevalent in every aspect of our society, yet we do not have the proper accessible, quality, care systems in place to support the lasting impact trauma has on people. It is extremely important to acknowledge that historically marginalized groups of people are disproportionately more likely to experience intersectional forms of trauma, which can often times be related to the discriminatory, oppressive, and racist structures and systems which uphold a society that prioritizes Whiteness.

Considering all of these factors, how do we work towards healing and liberation in a society that is traumatic?

Acknowledge the pain and the trauma.

By acknowledging the event or nature of the trauma itself, we can begin to process the impact of it on ourselves and our community.

Build community.

Seeking support and comfort from those you trust and share values and experiences with can create space for healing. In community, we can share in the concept of universality of the human experience- recognizing that we aren’t alone, and others can relate to what we’ve experienced. Building and engaging in community can actually buffer the negative psychological and physical impact of trauma (Weisner, 2020).

Learn more about it.

Knowledge is power! Seeking research based, credible information about how trauma affects our body and mind can sometimes provide insight and opportunity for reflection about our own experiences, and answer questions we might have about ourselves.

Seek support from a mental health professional. Sometimes we need more help to process our pain and experiences, and that’s okay.

Seeking help from a mental health provider can be a powerful healing experience. In the therapeutic space, you have autonomy!

Your provider should work with you to find healing and empowerment as you navigate learning more about yourself.

Ready to start living your life and manage the trauma?

You are worthy and Madison Vidicon specializes in helping with trauma is currently accepting new clients. When you are ready, we’re here!

Here’s a helpful list of questions to think about when searching for a mental health provider that is the right match for you:

https://www.texomaspecialtycounseling.com/blog/frequently-asked-questions-about-therapy-2023

https://mindfulcounselingutah.com/blog/2019/8/12/10-questions-for-therapist-shopping

Resources for more information:

• TedTalk: We Carry Our Ancestors: Intergenerational Healing | Serene Thin Elk

“Serene Thin Elk MA, LPC-MH, LAC, QMHP is the Chief Behavioral Health Officer at SD Urban Indian Health and is an enrolled member of the Ihanktonwan Oyate (Yankton Sioux Tribe). She is passionate about addressing patterns of intergenerational transmission, and finding ways to help individuals, families and communities heal from the effects of historical traumas”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjCoYvXNaUA

• TedTalk: You Can Heal Intergenerational Trauma | Dr. Thema Bryant

“So begins Dr. Thema Bryant's gorgeous and expansive spoken word piece that answers the essential question: How do we collectively heal and liberate ourselves? With our theme, Collective Liberation, TEDxDelthorneWomen centers the voices that are reimagining a new and just society through a liberatory lens. Not just from a space of dismantling tired, old concepts and fighting oppressive views, but implanting fresh seeds rooted in new imaginings, curiosity and right relationship. TEDxDelthorneWomen was produced, curated and hosted by Sonali Fiske, a Leadership mentor to BIPoC and the host of the radio talkshow, Revolutionary Voices.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FzGgIUSQr1g

• Research Article: Individual and Community Trauma: Individual Experiences in Collective Environments

Check out this resource which uses evidence-based research to further explain different types of trauma and their impact in a concise way. There is a pdf download version available on their website.

https://icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/articles/individual-and-community-trauma-individual-experiences-in-collective-environments

References:

American Psychological Association, (2018). APA Dictionary of Psychology. https://dictionary.apa.org/trauma

Center for HealthCare Strategies, (20221). Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center. What is Trauma? https://www.traumainformedcare.chcs.org/what-is-trauma/

Weisner, L., (2020). Individual and Community Trauma: Individual Experiences in Collective Environments. Illinois Criminal Justice Information Authority. https://icjia.illinois.gov/researchhub/articles/individual-and-community-trauma-individual-experiences-in-collective-environments