Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of TraumaWhat Are Symptoms of Trauma?Five Stages of TraumaTrauma TreatmentWhen to Seek Help
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Trauma
What Are Symptoms of Trauma?
Five Stages of Trauma
Trauma Treatment
When to Seek Help
Immediate reactions after a traumatic event include shock and denial, while more long-term reactions may includemood swings, relationship challenges, flashbacks, and physical symptoms.Professional support from a mental health professional such as apsychologistorpsychiatristcan help with coping and recovery.
This article covers the types of trauma a person may experience, its symptoms, stages, treatment, and coping options.
Verywell / Sydney Saporito
Trauma can either be physical or emotional. Physical trauma is a serious bodily injury. Emotional trauma is theemotional response to a disturbing event or situation.More specifically, emotional trauma can be eitheracute or chronic, as follows:
Emotional trauma may stem from various types of events or situations throughout infancy and childhood, as well as adulthood. Trauma-causing events do not have to be directly experienced. Events that you witness, that happen in your community, or happen to people you know can also cause trauma.
Types of Traumatic EventsTraumatic events include (but are not limited to):Child abuseChild neglectBullyingPhysical abuseDomestic violenceViolence in the communityNatural disastersMedical traumaSexual abuseSex traffickingSubstance useIntimate partner violenceVerbal abuseRacismAccidentsWarRefugee traumaTerrorismTraumatic griefIntergenerational trauma
Types of Traumatic Events
Traumatic events include (but are not limited to):Child abuseChild neglectBullyingPhysical abuseDomestic violenceViolence in the communityNatural disastersMedical traumaSexual abuseSex traffickingSubstance useIntimate partner violenceVerbal abuseRacismAccidentsWarRefugee traumaTerrorismTraumatic griefIntergenerational trauma
Traumatic events include (but are not limited to):
Psychological Symptoms of Emotional Trauma
Emotional responses to trauma can be any or a combination of the following:
Physical Symptoms of Emotional Trauma
Emotional trauma can also manifest in the form of physical symptoms. These include:
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Grief and Trauma
Grief is a feeling of anguish related to a loss, most often the death of a loved one.However, the loss is not always a death. It is possible to experience both trauma and grief following a distressing event, especially when the event involves the death of a close friend or family member.
While the stages are often explained in this order, it’s important to recognize that a person may move from one stage to another in any order, and they may repeat or skip stages.
Psychotherapy, ortalk therapy, is the primary treatment option for trauma. There are types of psychotherapy that focus specifically on trauma, such as trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, which is effective in treating trauma.Eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR) is a method that involves small, controlled exposures to elements related to the traumatic experience to help overcome the trauma.
Types of Mental Health Therapy
Treatment plans for those with PTSD regularly include medications to help with mood and sleep.
In addition to professional support, many strategies can be used to cope with and overcome trauma. Talking and spending time with trusted friends and family members can be helpful. There are alsosupport groupsspecifically for trauma.
It also is important to maintain routines, eat regularly, exercise, get enough quality sleep, and avoid alcohol and drugs.Stress plays a role in trauma, sostress managementand relaxation can make a big difference.
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When to Seek Professional Help for Trauma
While trauma can be a normal response to a distressing situation, it is sometimes important to seek professional help. Some things can be done to alleviate symptoms, support for coping and moving forward in life. Additionally, without professional help, symptoms can escalate and become life-threatening.
Anyone experiencing symptoms of trauma that affect daily life should seek help from a psychiatrist, psychologist, or other mental health professional.Trauma increases the risk of PTSD, depression,suicide, suicide attempts, anxiety, and misuse of substances, so it is a serious mental health concern.
Suicide Prevention HotlineIf you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
Suicide Prevention Hotline
If you or someone you know are having suicidal thoughts, dial988to contact the988 Suicide & Crisis Lifelineand connect with a trained counselor. If you or a loved one are in immediate danger, call911.
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Summary
Symptoms of trauma can be both emotional and physical and include feelings of fear, helplessness, or guilt, mood swings, behavior changes, difficulty sleeping, confusion, increased heart rate, and body aches and pains. It may also become more serious as those who experience trauma may develop PTSD and are at an increased risk of suicide.
Treatment is available. A mental health professional may provide psychotherapy and other support to help overcome the trauma. It is essential to seek help if trauma symptoms impact daily life.
9 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Trauma.The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.Complex trauma.American Psychological Association.Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Help Guide.Emotional and psychological trauma.American Psychological Association.Grief.American Psychological Association.Stages of grief.Cohen JA, Mannarino AP.Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for traumatized children and families.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2015;24(3):557-570. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.02.005National Institute of Mental Health.Coping with traumatic events.Mental Health Foundation.The impact of traumatic events on mental health.
9 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Trauma.The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.Complex trauma.American Psychological Association.Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Help Guide.Emotional and psychological trauma.American Psychological Association.Grief.American Psychological Association.Stages of grief.Cohen JA, Mannarino AP.Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for traumatized children and families.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2015;24(3):557-570. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.02.005National Institute of Mental Health.Coping with traumatic events.Mental Health Foundation.The impact of traumatic events on mental health.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
American Psychological Association.Trauma.The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.Complex trauma.American Psychological Association.Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).Help Guide.Emotional and psychological trauma.American Psychological Association.Grief.American Psychological Association.Stages of grief.Cohen JA, Mannarino AP.Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for traumatized children and families.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2015;24(3):557-570. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.02.005National Institute of Mental Health.Coping with traumatic events.Mental Health Foundation.The impact of traumatic events on mental health.
American Psychological Association.Trauma.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network.Complex trauma.
American Psychological Association.Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Help Guide.Emotional and psychological trauma.
American Psychological Association.Grief.
American Psychological Association.Stages of grief.
Cohen JA, Mannarino AP.Trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy for traumatized children and families.Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2015;24(3):557-570. doi:10.1016/j.chc.2015.02.005
National Institute of Mental Health.Coping with traumatic events.
Mental Health Foundation.The impact of traumatic events on mental health.
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