If you are looking for a sign to get out of bed, take a shower, walk outside, or a simple reminder that you are important: Here it is! This is your sign!

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Trauma: What Exactly is it?

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Disclaimer: I am not a doctor, counselor, or therapist. The following information is Merely based off of scholarly research, as well as personal experience, that I have found to be informative in regards to trauma. I highly encourage you to do your own research on this topic. i recommend a consultation with your doctor if you are suffering through trauma.

This series may also bring up traumatic experiences and/or responses. Although I am going to try to avoid using examples, I cannot assure you this will not be a trigger for some. It is your choice to continue reading.

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Although not everyone has gone through a traumatic experience, I think this information is great for anyone to learn. The more we know, the better we can be!

Earlier this month, I reached out to a few different groups of people and asked what topics they would be interested in reading about. Surprisingly, someone in each group mentioned trauma, primarily in regards to how quarantine has brought up unknown trauma and trauma responses. So, I decided to start a mini series on trauma. I think this is a heavy topic. There is a lot of information to give out about trauma, but I don’t want to bombard you with a drastically long post to read. So, I have broken it up into sections. Since we all know that the first step in working on ourselves is knowing what exactly it is we need to work on, I present to you-

Today’s topic: The what’s, how’s, and why’s of trauma.

Let’s start with the fact that everyone’s trauma is different. This means that the cause and reaction(s) to one’s trauma may not make sense to you, or even them for that matter, but it is valid. Your trauma is real. It does not make you weak. It does not make you less than. It does not make you hard to love. It does not make you damaged goods. It just means we have to put in some more work to grow.

It will be hard.

But, to come out your best, you have to put in your best.

So, saddle up, cowboy. We got some learning to do.

What is trauma?

Trauma, as defined by Karen Onderko on Integrated Listening Systems, is “the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self, and their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences”.

“Okay. Sweet, Jess. Now what does that mean?”

Well, I’m glad you asked! Let me break it down:

Trauma is the personal outcome of the situation that harmed you (or an individual), often times making you feel helpless and/or hopeless.

There are a few main types of trauma that I want to make note of (keep in mind, this is determined by the survivor, not anyone else):

1. Acute trauma: the result of a single incident.
2. Chronic trauma: the result(s) of a repeated/ prolonged experience. (Some examples would be domestic violence or abuse.)
3. Complex trauma: the result or multiple traumatic events that are invasive.
4. Childhood trauma: the result of traumatic experiences that occur to children generally ages 0-6. (I read studies saying 0-6, due to that being the time frame of a child’s vulnerability in regards to brain development. I do not think the harshness of childhood trauma just cuts off at age 6. I’m also sure this fits in one of the previously mentioned types, but due to how detrimental it can be, I decided to categorize it by itself.)
5. Small ‘t’ trauma: trauma where the event(s) did not cause harm to the body or threatened life. (Things like stressors: moving, loss of job, and divorce.)
6. Big ‘t’ trauma: trauma where the event(s) was/were extraordinary. (This would include natural catastrophes, child abuse, neglect, and war.)

I would also like to point out that there are different variables that play into trauma, such as age, location, mental health, routine, etc.

Do you hear how vague that is?

That’s because trauma is vague.

Trauma isn’t consistent. This is why it can be so blatantly obvious, or completely hidden.

You can have the same exact life experience as someone else, and be affected by everything completely differently. (There are plenty of studies on identical twins, meaning they have the same DNA, that are raised in the same atmosphere and have the same day-to-day routines, but still end up making completely different choices in the long run. I digress.)

I am going to close out this blog here shortly, but I want to reassure you: your trauma does not define you. It may make life a little harder sometimes. Some people may not understand. Some people may not be willing to learn, or to listen. But, I am. I am here.

I need you to know- your trauma is not YOU.

YOU are you.

If you are dealing with trauma, and came here to work on it, I am so proud of you! I am proud of you for recognizing the growth that needs to be made! This may hurt and hit some deep points. Some things may be hard to face. I am not a therapist, but I am here to listen. I am here to learn. I am here to reassure you that you are beautifully loved, regardless of your past. I am definitely not going to promise that you will walk away from this series with all of your problems solved, but I am hoping you walk away knowing you have someone who cares. Because I care.

If you are just here to learn about trauma, I’m so proud of you as well! Education is a huge part of growing! Cheers to you! Maybe you just want to learn or maybe you have someone close to you that is dealing with a form of trauma. Either way, I am glad you are here!

With that being said, whether you are trying to grow from trauma, or trying to grow from education, please stick around!

(If you shoot me your email [click the mail icon], I will send you a message each time a new post drops!)

This will be a 4 part series:

1. Trauma: What Exactly is it?
2. What Causes Trauma? + 3 Steps to Begin Trauma Psychology
3. Trauma Therapy: Breaking the Stigma
4. How to Grow from Trauma: Trauma Healing

You can google definitions, symptoms, and treatments, but nothing is guaranteed to work for anyone, much less everyone. There is no “quick fix”. There is no set prescription. No perfect self-help book.

Not even a perfect self-growth blog.

But, I am going to do my best to get this information out.

If you know someone that could benefit from reading this series, use the social media icons to share this post with them.

As always, if you need a sign to take care of yourself: this is it.

Take a deep breath.

Stretch.

Relax.

Because as we all know:

you are the most vital character in your story!

The trauma llama will be back, soon.

Peace out, girl scouts!

… and always aim to be the best self you can be.