What it is:

The standard definition for trauma in mental health (sometimes called “big T Trauma”) is exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury or sexual violence either through a direct experience or by witnessing or learning about such an event that occurred to someone else. Researchers and clinicians alike have pushed for a broader definition of trauma, believing that the hallmark of trauma is a difficult experience that profoundly changes the way you see yourself, others, your future, or the world and results in impulsive or avoidant behaviors to cope with the stress. 

Most adults will have experienced something that would be considered a trauma, particularly if we use the broader definition. Initial symptoms following a trauma are normal and to be expected. However, those who go on to develop trauma-based disorders (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), get stuck in the trauma and find themselves constantly thinking about what happened or trying to prevent what happened from occurring again. 

Adults with trauma-based disorders (like PTSD) tend to develop extreme or rigid beliefs or expectations about others (e.g., others are always dangerous), the world (e.g., the world is unsafe or unpredictable), or themselves (e.g., I deserved what happened to me, I am worthless or defective, or I am unable to cope with difficult circumstances). These beliefs form to help understand what happened and helps the brain feel safer in the future. Many adults also go on to develop intense emotional reactions in response to direct or indirect reminders of the trauma, such as flashbacks, intrusive memories of the trauma, or nightmares. Associated symptoms such as an intense physiological response to trauma reminders (e.g., panic), an extreme focus on safety, or avoidance of things related to the trauma may also occur.