The Difference Between Trauma and Complex Trauma

What is the difference between trauma and complex trauma?

Trauma is an event in which a person experiences or witnesses extreme threat of harm or death. Some forms of trauma include car accidents, community violence, medical trauma, physical abuse, sexual violation or abuse, natural disasters, domestic violence, and traumatic grief. Furthermore, traumatic events often cause short term negative reactions and symptoms. Some examples include trouble sleeping, feeling on edge, and emotional instability.

On the bright side, experiencing a trauma doesn’t necessarily lead to the development of PTSD or long term effects. Traumas that are processed in a “healthy” way in the brain (stored in explicit memory) are those that no longer cause unwanted effects. This can take up to 4 weeks to occur, which is why the criteria for PTSD is that symptoms must have lasted more than a month after the event. On the other hand, trauma memories stored in implicit memory are triggered easily and cause disturbance of thought, feeling, and behavior. These traumas can lead to PTSD (or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and affect relationships with the self and others.

Complex Trauma

Complex Trauma, on the other hand, can include multiple traumas listed above, as well as ongoing abuse and neglect. Some examples are being left unattended or without food as a child and ongoing verbal threats and abuse. In addition, complex trauma typically involves a history of relationship ruptures with caregivers in childhood. These ruptures can include a parent/caregiver who has an addiction, mental illness, or who is emotionally unavailable for another reason. There can also be a lack of physical or emotional safety and stability in the environment. This usually interferes with a child’s ability to form a secure attachment and to develop a sense of self.

People with Complex trauma or C-PTSD typically have issues in relationships, low self-esteem, and difficulty trusting others. Both trauma and complex trauma can lead to having flashbacks, reliving of experiences such as nightmares, hypersensitivity to sounds or other senses, intrusive thoughts, being on edge, anxiety, depression, avoidance, and triggers. However, complex trauma triggers tend to be surrounding relationships.

There is Hope

If you have identified as experienced having trauma and are struggling with its effects, there is hope. Neuroscience research has proven that our brains can rewire themselves. EMDR and RRT are forms of therapy that have shown to be very effective for treating trauma. Click below for more information on how we utilize these treatments to help people heal and find peace, clarity, and joy in their lives.

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