Types of Trauma

This week’s topic touches us all in one way or another, and that topic is trauma. Trauma can manifest in various forms, and its effects can last a lifetime, if not properly addressed. Last week's episode was about trauma healing with Missy. In today's episode, I'll walk you through the different types of trauma, the impact it can have on an individual, and the theories and therapies that can aid in healing, trauma is often understood as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. It's important to recognize that trauma can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or circumstances. 

Overall trauma is a deeply complex issue with far reaching consequences, and I don't want to minimize that, but the good news is that healing is possible. Understanding the different types of trauma, its effects and the variety of therapeutic interventions available can help us not only support survivors, but also break this. Violence That seems to surround trauma. The path to recovery may not be easy, but with all the right knowledge compassion and support, we can call in healing and resistance! 

Transcript

Today's topic touches us all in one way or another, and that topic is trauma. 

Trauma can manifest in various forms, and its effects can last a lifetime, if not properly addressed. Last week's episode was about trauma healing with Missy. In today's episode, I'll walk you through the different types of trauma, the impact it can have on an individual, and the theories and therapies that can aid in healing, trauma is often understood as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms an individual's ability to cope. 

It's important to recognize that trauma can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or circumstances. Let's break down the types of trauma to better understand their diversity, 

Physical trauma. This type of trauma results from bodily harm or injury. It can occur due to accidents, falls or assaults, and can have both short term and long term consequences on physical health.

Emotional or psychological trauma. This type of trauma is the result of events that cause emotional pain and suffering, often in response to abuse, bullying, neglect, or the sudden loss of a loved one, it can deeply affect a person's emotional wellbeing and their coping mechanisms. 

A third type is complex trauma. This occurs from exposure to prolonged or repeated stress or abuse, such as living in an abusive home environment over many years, or being a victim of ongoing bullying or enduring war related experiences, it can have long, lasting, lasting and pervasive effects on mental health. 

Developmental trauma is a term for children who experience trauma during crucial developmental stages of their life, and then they can struggle with their social, emotional and cognitive development. This can occur from neglect, abuse or the absence of a stable caregiver, impacting their ability to form healthy attachments. 

And the final type of trauma is vicarious or secondary trauma. This type of trauma happens when someone else's traumatic experience affects you. It's common in caregiving or counseling professions where individuals witness the suffering of others and they feel its emotional weight. 

The impact of trauma is far reaching, and it can manifest in a variety of ways. While some effects are visible, others are deeply internal, and many take time to come to the surface. 

So there are about five common effects. The first would be physical symptoms. Trauma can cause persistent physical symptoms, such as headaches, sleep disturbances, chronic pain or fatigue. These may not have an obvious connection to the original trauma, but are deeply linked to the emotional impact,

A second would be emotional distress. Survivors may experience feelings of sadness, anger, fear or anxiety, emotional numbness or detachment can occur where the individual feels disconnected from themselves or others. 

And then there are cognitive effects. Trauma can impact thinking patterns, causing difficulty with concentration, memory problems and feelings of confusion. Survivors might develop intrusive thoughts, or what we would call flashbacks, that disrupt their day to day, function functioning. 

A fourth would be behavioral changes. Trauma survivors may engage in unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse, self-harm or addictive compulsive behaviors, relationships may become strained as survivors find it hard to trust others.

And PTSD Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, In more severe cases, individuals can develop PTSD characterized by intrusive memories of the trauma, replaying heightened stress response in just common situations and avoidance behaviors. PTSD can be debilitating if left untreated, affecting both daily functioning and long-term health, There are various theories that help to explain why an individual has such a profound impact of trauma. 

Understanding these theories helps in creating effective therapeutic approaches. One theory is the psycho dynamic theory that was originating with Freud. This theory says that unresolved unconscious conflicts often stemming from childhood experience influences a person's behavior. Trauma is seen as something that creates emotional blockages leading to anxiety and neurotic behavior. 

A second theory is CBT, cognitive behavioral theory. According to CBT, trauma distorts the way an individual perceives the world and themselves. The way we think about trauma can influence how we feel and act. Trauma survivors might develop negative thought patterns such as guilt or shame, which contribute to ongoing distress. 

A third one is neurobiological theory and advances in neuroscience more recently have shown that trauma can have lasting effects on the brain. Trauma can change brain structures such as the hypothalamus, which is responsible for memory and emotional regulation. This theory underscores the importance of biological factors in trauma and why healing requires more than just emotional intervention, and the final I'm covering today is attachment theory that was developed by John Bowley. And this theory emphasizes the importance of early attachment relationships. Children who experience trauma, particularly from caregivers, may struggle with forming healthy, secure relationships throughout life due to disruptions in their ability to trust. Lead and to attach to others. 

Understanding the complexity of trauma has led to the development of numerous therapeutic approaches, divinely designed to help individuals heal. There certainly is no one size fits all method as trauma affects each person differently. Here are some of the most commonly used therapies. 

Cognitive behavioral therapy. CBT helps individuals understand and reframe negative thought problems that arise as a result of trauma. By addressing these thought patterns, individuals can shift their emotional responses and behaviors, learning healthier coping mechanisms. 

A second type is EMDR, and that's eye movement to sensitivity and reprocessing, and it's a therapy designed to help people process traumatic memories by using bilateral stimulation such as eye movements. This therapy aims to reprocess the memory so it no longer causes distress and no longer interferes with daily life just making the memory just a common occurrence with no reaction. 

The third is TFCBT, and that's trauma focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and this therapy is specifically designed for children and adolescents. TFCBT integrates trauma focused interventions with cognitive behavioral techniques to help them process and cope with their trauma in a safe and supportive environment,

So SE is somatic experiencing, and that focuses on the body's response to trauma and aims to release the physical tension or trauma held in the body. It's usually through mindfulness and gentle touch, and it helps individuals become aware of and release trapped energy leading to emotional and physical healing. 

Narrative therapy is a therapy that helps individuals reframe their trauma narrative by externalizing the trauma and seeing it as a part of their story, rather than their entire identity. Survivors can regain a sense of control and meaning so okay. 

DBT is dialectical behavior therapy, and it blends cognitive behavioral techniques with mindfulness and acceptance strategies. It's particularly useful for those who experience intense emotions as a result of trauma, helping them manage emotional distress and improve their interpersonal relationships. 

And the final well-known therapy is group therapy. Sometimes sharing experiences with others who have gone through similar trauma can be incredibly healing. Group therapy provides a sense of community and support, where individuals can learn from one another and develop shared coping strategies. 

Overall trauma is a deeply complex issue with far reaching consequences, and I don't want to minimize that, but the good news is that healing is possible. Understanding the different types of trauma, its effects and the variety of therapeutic interventions available can help us not only support survivors, but also break this violence that seems to surround trauma. The path to recovery may not be easy, but with all the right knowledge, compassion and support, we can call in healing and resistance! So “Call IT in With Dar!” 

Transcribed by https://otter.ai