People have been experiencing trauma for thousands of years. Arousal is the physical reaction to a perceived threat that energizes all animal's survival responses. It is also known as the fight, flight, freeze or collapse mechanism. Designed for a physical world, arousal either activates, or shuts down certain physiological reactions that prepare the body to fight danger, to run away from danger, or to numb the pain response if the danger proves fatal. Because we too are animals, human beings share the fight. Flight, freeze or collapse reaction. These responses are instinctual; they pre-date even the most primitive parts of the brain.

 

The roots of trauma lie in an instinctive physical fear response that has become suspended in the brain and nervous system. Thus, initiates troublesome symptoms such as avoidance, sleep problems, forgetfulness, headaches, irritability, intrusive thoughts, phobias, anxiety attacks, and so many more. These are all symptoms of hyper-vigilance (fight, flight, or freeze). When your body cannot sustain constant hyper-vigilance, the collapse response is activated. Symptoms include a loss of motivation, indecision, confusion, physical pain, numbing, fatigue, body tension, isolation and depression.  Sometimes, indicators of trauma can remain hidden for years and then, suddenly surface after being triggered by something.

 

Trauma experiences can be conceptualized as existing on a spectrum and can be responsible for a variety of trauma symptoms:

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"Big-T" Trauma

 

“Big -T” Trauma has been conceptualized as higher on the spectrum and higher in disturbance and duration, this is often also called complex trauma. The origins are buried in experiences such as:

• Childhood abuse, neglect and a lack of basic safety

• Critical events (crime, hate crime, accidents, fire, terrorist attacks, natural disaster etc.)

• Sexual abuse, sexual assault, rape

• Birth trauma and surgery

• Accidents

• Death of a loved one

• Physical or psychological violence or torture​

• Domestic violence

• MUCH MORE

 

"Small-T" Trauma

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While most people recognize the negative effects of extreme forms of trauma, such as abuse, violence and being the victim of a crime, they may be unaware that seemingly benign child- or adulthood situations can lead to widespread and hidden after-effects that are just as debilitating.

 

The origins of "small-t” trauma lie in those unresolved moments, often in childhood, when you felt overwhelmed, powerless and confused. Some examples could be: being seriously scolded by a teacher, or teased by a schoolmate. It can even be a single statement made by an authority figure that you still hear clearly to this day such as, “You’re stupid.” In adulthood, these moments are frequently perceived as unimportant. However, they can create a significant amount of stress, physical symptoms and even cause shifts in personality.

 

“Small - t” traumas can create problematic symptoms but at first glance, may not appear at the same intensity and could be on the lower part of the spectrum from one’s own point of view. These incidents could include:

• Workplace harassment, stress, conflict, and termination

• Being gossiped about

• Relational betrayals

• Embarrassing experiences

• Experiencing bullying

• The ending of a relationship or friendship

• The death of a pet

• Moving or other significant change

• Personal failures

• Not meeting family expectations

• ANYTHING YOU PERCEIVE AS TRAUMATIZING