

their background and approach to handling emotionsĪ person who has experienced trauma may feel:.the type and characteristics of the event or events.the presence of other mental health conditions.Many factors determine how a traumatic event affects a person, including: The symptoms of trauma range from mild to severe. With this form of trauma, a person develops trauma symptoms from close contact with someone who has experienced a traumatic event.įamily members, mental health professionals, and others who care for those who have experienced a traumatic event are at risk of vicarious trauma. Secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, is another form of trauma. Complex trauma: This results from exposure to multiple traumatic events.Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence. Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events.Acute trauma: This results from a single stressful or dangerous event.There are several types of trauma, including: If symptoms persist and do not decrease in severity, it can indicate that the trauma has developed into a mental health disorder called post-traumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ). Trauma can have long-term effects on the person’s well-being. They may feel overwhelmed, helpless, shocked, or have difficulty processing their experiences. However, a person may experience trauma as a response to any event they find physically or emotionally threatening or harmful.Ī traumatized person can feel a range of emotions both immediately after the event and in the long term. According to the American Psychological Association (APA), trauma is “an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, rape, or natural disaster.”
