Types of Trauma

Trauma

Emotional Abuse

• Definition: A pattern of behavior that involves manipulation, intimidation, and control to undermine a person's self-worth and emotional well-being.
• Examples: Verbal abuse, gaslighting, emotional manipulation, and isolation.
• Effects: Low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and difficulty forming healthy relationships.

Physical Abuse

• Definition: The use of physical force that results in harm, injury, or pain.
• Examples: Hitting, pushing, slapping, kicking, and other forms of physical violence.
• Effects: Physical injuries, chronic pain, and a heightened sense of fear and anxiety.

Psychological Trauma

• Definition: A type of trauma that results from a severe emotional shock, often caused by a single event or a series of events.
• Examples: Natural disasters, car accidents, and violent crimes.
• Effects: Flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance behaviors, and hypervigilance.

Complex Trauma

• Definition: A type of trauma that results from prolonged and repeated exposure to traumatic events, often in the context of relationships or institutions.
• Examples: Childhood abuse, domestic violence, and torture.
• Effects: Dissociation, emotional dysregulation, and difficulties with trust, intimacy, and emotional regulation.

Acute Trauma

• Definition: A single, discrete traumatic event that occurs in a short period of time.
• Examples: Car accidents, natural disasters, and physical assaults.
• Effects: Immediate and intense emotional response, including shock, denial, and anxiety.

Note: These subtopics are not mutually exclusive, and individuals may experience multiple types of trauma simultaneously or sequentially.

Learn about the different types of trauma, including emotional abuse, physical abuse, psychological trauma, complex trauma, and acute trauma. Understand their definitions, examples, and effects on individuals.