Types of Trauma and It's Symptoms by Mimi Rothschild

Before delving into the symptoms and treatment of trauma, we need to understand the concept of trauma first

. Psychological trauma is a response to any happening that a person feels oppressive. It might be an accident, some kind of disaster or violence. Trauma is the root cause of multiple emotional symptoms. Anybody who is experiencing any painful happening does not mean he develops trauma. With proper counseling and treatment, people can find the reason for trauma and effective ways to deal with its symptoms. Let’s discuss different types of trauma, possible symptoms and available treatments.

Types of Trauma

Following are the types of trauma.

• Acute Trauma

It is the response that occurs as a result of a single stressful event.

Example: 1. Combat 2. Terrorist Attack

• Chronic Trauma

It is caused by long-term repeated stressful events.

Example: 1. Sexual abuse 2. Domestic violence.

• Complex Trauma

It happens due to multiple traumatic events.

• Secondary Trauma

Secondary Trauma occurs when a person develops trauma symptoms from somebody who has already experienced a traumatic happening.

People who care for those who have assumed traumatic happenings are at risk of secondary or vicarious trauma.

Symptoms of Trauma

Symptoms of trauma vary from moderate to severe. Symptoms may be emotional and physical. Multiple factors decide how a traumatic event affects any victim, including:

• The type of event

• Their background and appeal to control emotions

• Their characteristics

• A person may also assume post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• The emotional reaction may result in strong emotions that influence a person's attitude, conduct, functioning, and worldview.

Emotional Responses

Emotional responses are directly linked with the trauma of anybody. Following are the emotional responses anybody observes who experiences trauma.

• Anxiety

• Guilt

• Confusion

• Fear

• Shame

• Denial

They could lose their temper easily, find it difficult to deal with their emotions, or isolate themselves from other people. Both dreams and flashbacks, in which a person mentally replays the traumatic event are fluent.

Physical Responses

Trauma can also cause physical responses, like the following:

• Sweating

• Fatigue

• Feeling jumpy

• Digestive disorders

• Headache

Sometimes, anybody will also observe hyperarousal, or when somebody feels in a state of constant alertness. Sleeping could be challenging as a result. Additionally, people may go on to experience additional mental health disorders like despair, anxiety, and drug misuse concerns.

Childhood Trauma

Results from various research indicate that children are vulnerable to trauma as their brains are still developing. Young ones observe a state of stress during traumatic happenings and hormones related to fear and stress were released inside their body. This kind of trauma will develop with the developing age of children and affect the child’s long-term mental health, behavior, and physical condition.

Treatment of Trauma

Different treatments can be helpful to cope with trauma and to improve the life of victims again normal as before.

• Therapy

Therapy is the most important treatment of trauma that aids the victim to recover as soon as possible. Following types of therapies are an integral part of treatment.

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

This type of psychological therapy has been very effective in recovering victims from trauma by helping them to change their way of thinking to influence their behaviors.

• Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing

EMDR is a very common trauma treatment. In EMDR, patients are guided by their therapist's eye movements while they briefly recall certain traumatic events. To aid with the processing and integration of traumatic memories, EMDR is used.

• Somatic Therapies

Some therapists use body-based techniques to treat body and mind trauma. Such types of somatic therapies include:

• Somatic experiencing

• Touch Therapies

• Acupoint Stimulation

Proper medication with a balanced diet will be very helpful for trauma victims. Daily exercise and connecting with friends and family will boost the recovery from trauma.