Close icon
Find care near you in 10 minutes with our online assessment.
What are the different types of trauma?

What are the different types of trauma?

Trauma doesn't mean just one type of experience. Here are all the different forms trauma can take, and how to heal from it.

Reviewed by:
Tracey Griffin, LMHC
|
View bio
October 17, 2022
Original source:

Key takeaways

Even if you’ve experienced a distressing or catastrophic event, you might hesitate to call it trauma. You might think that “trauma” must mean something much more serious than what you’ve endured.

In fact, the word trauma can accurately describe many different experiences. To clear all this up, we’re breaking down the types of trauma, so you can more easily recognize it (and find help for it) in yourself and others.

What is trauma?

Before we get into the details, let’s make sure we’re all on the same page about what “trauma” means (and doesn’t mean). If you’ve ever broken a bone or been in an accident and heard a doctor refer to your injury as “physical trauma,” you know that not all trauma is psychological. Any major bodily harm can accurately be called trauma. We’re going to focus on emotional rather than physical trauma in this article, but we should note that the distinction between them isn’t always clear cut.

“Physical trauma can absolutely be linked with emotional trauma,” says Talkiatry therapist Tracey Griffin. “For example, it can affect the relationship you have with your own body.”

Like physical trauma, emotional trauma happens in the aftermath of a terrible, potentially life-altering event or series of events. But two people can have the same distressing experience without both suffering lasting trauma. That’s because trauma is less about the event itself and more about your reaction to it.

Trauma forces your brain into survival mode (often identified by fight, flight, freeze, or faun reactions), which can save your life in a moment. But if your brain doesn’t switch back, those same impulses can seriously impair your ability to fully live your life, getting in the way of work, fun, and especially your relationships with other people. A prolonged response to trauma like this can lead to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Here are some of the symptoms of trauma:

  • Avoiding your own problems or conflict with others
  • Blaming yourself or others for unwelcome events
  • Eating much less or more than you normally do
  • Experiencing your life as if it were a movie or a dream (dissociation)
  • Feeling afraid, anxious, or panicked for no apparent reason
  • Getting irritated or angry more easily, or becoming aggressive
  • Giving up quickly when you encounter an obstacle
  • Losing interest in activities you once enjoyed
  • Neglecting to take care of yourself
  • Sleeping less than you normally do, or having nightmares
  • Spending less time with other people
  • Startling easily or feeling jumpy
  • Struggling to remember things or pay attention
  • Sudden shifts in the way you act, feel, or think about the world
  • Unexplained body aches, muscle tension, or fatigue

What are the types of trauma?

Acute trauma

Acute trauma happens during and shortly after a single distressing or life-threatening event, like being the victim of a crime.

Chronic trauma

Chronic trauma happens during and after a prolonged distressing situation that includes multiple incidents, like an abusive relationship.

Complex trauma

Complex trauma happens during and after a variety of distressing events, usually involving two or more of the other types. Complex trauma often occurs in childhood and can have negative effects that last a lifetime.

Other types of trauma

As the conversation around trauma continues across the country (and the world), experts have proposed new categories to account for more types of trauma. Because all the types outlined above focus on individual people’s traumatic events, many of these terms refer to collective experiences of trauma.

Events that have widespread consequences, like natural disasters or institutional discrimination, can terrify large groups of people—leading to historical or intergenerational trauma.

How do I deal with trauma?

If any of this sounds like you, you should know that recovering from trauma isn’t easy, but there are plenty of things you can do to help yourself heal:

  • Make connections: Trauma can be isolating, which makes it all the more important that you lean into your support network to avoid making matters worse. If you don’t know anyone who can relate to what you’re going through, you could try searching online for a relevant support group you can join.
  • Seek therapy: Many different types of therapy can help you break the negative thought patterns that trauma causes, but some therapists specialize in trauma and might be better equipped to help you. Look for “trauma-focused” or “trauma-informed” in a potential therapist’s background to find a trauma specialist.
  • Consider psychiatry: If your experiences have left you with distressing symptoms, a psychiatrist can work with you to make sense of what you’re going through and figure out the right treatment plan.

It’s important to keep in mind that real life doesn’t normally divide itself neatly into categories. Even if what you’ve experienced doesn’t sound like anything we’ve described, it could still be trauma if it’s had a lasting impact on the way you think, feel, and live.

If you’re dealing with trauma, you don’t have to heal alone. Talking to a psychiatrist or therapist about your feelings can be the first step toward a better life.

Talkiatry is a mental health practice, and our clinicians review everything we write. However, articles are never a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you think you may need mental health help, talk to a psychiatrist. If you or someone you know may be in danger, call 911 or the National Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988 right away.

Learn about the conditions we treat

How it works
Tip #1
Tell us about you
Take 10 min to tell us about why you’re seeking care and what you’re looking for.
Tip #2
Explore your matches
We’ll show you the bios and treatment approaches of doctors who are a match for you.
Tip #3
Schedule your visit
Find a time that works for you. We can usually see you in just days.
Tip #4
Start your journey
Join your visit from the comfort of home and get a personalized treatment plan.
Laptop computer simulation showing a psychiatry session with a psychiatrist
Start our short assessment

Frequently asked questions

Does Talkiatry take my insurance?

We're in-network with major insurers, including:

  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Humana
  • Medicare
  • Oscar
  • United Healthcare
  • Optum
  • Compsych

Even if your insurer isn't on the list, we might still accept it. Use the insurance eligibility checker in our online assessment to learn more.

Can I get an estimate of my visit cost?

The best way to get a detailed estimate of your cost is to contact your insurance company directly, since your cost will depend on the details of your insurance.  

For some, it’s just a co-pay. If you have an unmet deductible it could be more.  

Call the number on your insurance card and ask about your plan’s coverage for outpatient psychiatric services.

How does Talkiatry compare to face-to-face treatment?

For most patients, Talkiatry treatment is just as effective as in-person psychiatry (American Psychiatric Association, 2021), and much more convenient. That said, we don’t currently provide treatment for schizophrenia, primary eating disorder treatment, or Medication Assisted Treatment for substance use disorders.

What kind of treatment does Talkiatry provide?

At Talkiatry, we specialize in psychiatry, meaning the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions. Your psychiatrist will meet with you virtually on a schedule you set together, devise a treatment plan tailored to your specific needs and preferences, and work with you to adjust your plan as you meet your goals.

If your treatment plan includes medication, your psychiatrist will prescribe and manage it. If needed, your psychiatrist can also refer you to a Talkiatry therapist.

What's the difference between a therapist and psychiatrist?

Psychiatrists are doctors who have specialized training in diagnosing and treating complex mental health conditions through medication management. If you are experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, PTSD, or similar, a psychiatrist may be a good place to start.  

Other signs that you should see a psychiatrist include:  

  • Your primary care doctor or another doctor thinks you may benefit from the services of a psychiatrist and provides a referral    
  • You are interested in taking medication to treat a mental health condition  
  • Your symptoms are severe enough to regularly interfere with your everyday life

The term “therapist” can apply to a range of professionals including social workers, mental health counselors, psychologists, professional counselors, marriage and family therapists, and psychoanalysts. Working with a therapist generally involves regular talk therapy sessions where you discuss your feelings, problem-solving strategies, and coping mechanisms to help with your condition.

Who can prescribe medication?

All our psychiatrists (and all psychiatrists in general) are medical doctors with additional training in mental health. They can prescribe any medication they think can help their patients. In order to find out which medications might be appropriate, they need to conduct a full evaluation. At Talkiatry, first visits are generally scheduled for 60 minutes or more to give your psychiatrist time to learn about you, work on a treatment plan, and discuss any medications that might be included.

About
Tracey Griffin, LMHC

Tracey Griffin is a Licensed Mental Health Counselor who is dedicated to helping people align with their most authentic selves over the last 11 years. This includes addressing the struggles of mental health in an open, empathetic, and non-judgmental, therapeutic relationship. She is dedicated to establishing a collaborative working relationship with individuals to help achieve their goals while living a fulfilled and balanced life. Tracey received her Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Pace University following her Bachelor of Arts in Applied Psychology from the same institution. She has been trained in performing biopsychosocial assessments and is also a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor.

Tracey’s treatment approach is person-centered in conjunction with evidence-based practices such as cognitive behavioral therapy, dialectical behavioral therapy, mindfulness, and motivational interviewing while remaining culturally sensitive and inclusive. She is well versed in harm reduction as well as abstinence-based approaches to addiction treatment and roots her practice to focus on treating the whole self which can include exploration of spirituality and purpose. Tracey has experience working with individuals who experience co-occurring disorders, anxiety, depression, codependency, addiction, personality disorders, LGBTQ, men’s issues, and trauma.

Read more
Article sources
Related posts
September 30, 2024

Why do I cry so much? Should I get help?

Read more ›
September 30, 2024

Anxiety during pregnancy: Is it normal?

Read more ›
September 17, 2024

What is postpartum anxiety? How do I get help?

Read more ›
September 2, 2024

What to know about postpartum PTSD

Read more ›
August 30, 2024

PTSD and anxiety: Can you have both?

Read more ›
August 18, 2024

Which antidepressant is right for me?

Read more ›

Mental health is personal.
So is our approach to psychiatry.

Get started
Close