The Definition of Trauma

Words matter. Using the wrong word to describe something may mislead someone in terms of finding the appropriate help for a problem. It’s also possible to minimize a serious problem by either using the wrong word or by using the correct word inappropriately. When that happens (such as with the definition of trauma), you may not get the help you need because the situation may not seem serious enough to warrant it.

One such word that needs to be understood properly is “trauma.” In everyday interactions, people sometimes say they were traumatized by something when perhaps it may be more accurate to say they felt embarrassed or slightly uncomfortable because of the situation. That can have the unintended effect of minimizing trauma.

On the other hand, it may be difficult for someone to acknowledge that an experience they had was traumatic or that they suffered trauma. The word can carry heavy connotations that the individual wishes to avoid for one reason or another. However, if you’ve experienced trauma, it’s important to receive appropriate care.

What is the definition of trauma?

With all that in mind, what is the definition of trauma? One way to understand the definition of trauma is that it describes any type of distressing event or experience that a person undergoes that can have an impact on their ability to cope and function in everyday life.

Many people experience some kind of traumatic event in their lifetime, whether it’s undergoing a life-threatening illness, experiencing the unexpected death of a loved one, or being involved in an accident. The kind of impact trauma can have on a person can be either emotional, physical, or psychological.

According to the American Psychological Association, “Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster.” Trauma thus names the distressing event as well as the emotional response to that event. Some examples of events that can lead to a traumatic emotional response include the following:

• Motor vehicle accident.
• Sexual Abuse.
• Assault, including sexual assault and rape.
• The death of a loved one, whether expected or otherwise.
• Divorce.
• Experiencing family or parental abandonment.
• Being imprisoned.
• Job loss.
• Experiencing a natural disaster like a wildfire, flood, or hurricane.
• Physical injury.
• Witnessing a crime, accident, or death.
• Going through a serious or life-threatening illness.
• Experiencing terrorism or violence.

How trauma affects people.

When you experience a traumatic event, immediately afterward, you may experience shock and denial about what just happened. Over the longer term, you may experience unpredictable emotions such as anger or fear, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts about the event, strained relationships with other people, and even physical symptoms such as headaches or nausea.

While these experiences and feelings are normal, some people will have difficulty moving on with their lives after a traumatic event. In such cases, a person can find help from a mental health professional such as a psychologist to constructively manage their emotions and cope with the traumatic event.

Treatment options.

The experience of a traumatic event can leave you feeling unsafe and uncertain. Instead of trying to walk alone, if you have experienced trauma, it may be helpful to speak with a mental health professional to get support.

A therapist or a psychologist can support you, as well as help you better understand the symptoms you may be experiencing as a result of the trauma, such as avoidance, intrusive thoughts, or unhealthy coping behaviors.

The treatment that will be appropriate for your situation will depend largely on the symptoms that you are experiencing as a result of the trauma. Your treatment plan, which will be devised by a mental health professional in consultation with you, may involve psychotherapy, medication, self-care, or a combination of these approaches.

Treatment for trauma will often focus on helping you integrate your emotional response to the trauma as well as addressing any resulting mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety, or PTSD.

Psychotherapy, which will likely involve the use of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), helps people process and evaluate thoughts and feelings related to the trauma; the aim is to replace negative thinking with more realistic and healthy thoughts and behaviors. Another useful technique for addressing trauma is Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR).

The medications that may be prescribed to address conditions such as Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) which results from trauma include anti-anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines, which include Valium (diazepam) and Ativan (lorazepam). Other medications include antidepressants such as Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs).

If you or a loved one have experienced trauma, seek help from a health professional, and pursue treatment to restore your sense of wellbeing and peace.