Words like trauma and triggered are all over the internet. People often say they are triggered, but what do they mean? How do you know if you have trauma or if you have PTSD? Can you have one but not the other? Does it matter? Learning about trauma and PTSD can help a person understand the differences, when to seek help, and how to lessen the stigma associated with trauma and PTSD.
What is Trauma?
According to Webster’s dictionary, trauma, in the mental health sense, is the experience of severe emotional or mental stress. This experience often leads to psychological distress or disordered thinking or behaviors. However, all of us experience distressing events. What changes a distressing event into something traumatic? How does it change from just normal reactions and processing to PTSD? All of us experience trauma. Stress is a part of everyday life. When stress becomes more than trauma and leads to something that is interrupting daily functioning, it then enters into disorder territory, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Let’s take for example the normal processing of a loss such as the death of a family member. It is absolutely normal and expected to mourn the loss and struggle with the feelings that come with it. That struggle is going to look different depending on the closeness of the relationship, the nature of the loss, and how prepared the person was for the death. Depending on the length of time since the loss, reactions are also measured and considered. If the loss is recent, it may still be quite difficult. It is also normal to still have challenges even years later, especially on special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries, and other dates that are important. Triggers such as memories and reminders will also be sensitive to the loss. None of this is indicative of PTSD, but natural mourning of a loss. If, however, the person is still struggling to function in a day-to-day manner even years after the loss, there may be more trauma or PTSD that might need to be considered.
Trauma vs PTSD
So how can we tell the difference between trauma and PTSD? In simple terms, trauma exists in most of our lives. Because life has challenges, there will be trauma or mental stress or strain that accompanies it. PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, is more complex. The criteria for PTSD states that a person is exposed to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. This can be experienced in many ways, either directly or indirectly, by learning about things happening to family members or friends, not just themselves. There can also be PTSD from repeated exposure to things such as small abuses that build over time. This is why some PTSD comes from living in an abusive household, not just witnessing one traumatic event. I have had many clients who will say that they did not think they could have PTSD because they have not been at war or witnessed a death. It is not that simple. Many different things can cause us to experience trauma that can lead to PTSD. Where PTSD gets confusing for people is that symptoms and responses vary, with some reacting very differently from others. Some people will be triggered often because of reminders of specific traumas, while others may only be triggered on specific occasions that are rare. Trauma happens whenever there is any type of mental stress or strain. PTSD is the result of the lasting effects of the trauma. Even though one person may develop PTSD and another does not, it does not reflect poorly on you as a person. It is not a sign of weakness to develop PTSD.
I work often with clients who are trying to understand if their trauma is normal or natural, or if it qualifies as PTSD. I find comparisons to be very helpful. One comparison I like is addiction. Look at the concept of alcohol addiction. If a person casually drinks a glass of wine with dinner occasionally, this is not an addiction. Even if there are people in their family who are morally opposed to alcohol, a casual choice to drink a glass once and awhile is not an addiction. In the same vein, being casually reminded of a traumatic event, such as a memory coming up of a lost loved one on a special day may not qualify as PTSD, but more likely as the normal mourning process that we all go through during the more difficult parts of life.
However, if a person is choosing to drink during work, and therefore risking their job, or spending money on alcohol instead of paying bills, this is starting to step into the boundaries of addiction. If they start to hide their drinking or downplay the severity, this is also a sign of addiction.
Likewise, if the signs of trauma start to interfere with everyday life, PTSD may be indicated. If a person is so overcome with their trauma or triggers that it is hard to leave home or function at work or school or daily activities, this can be a symptom of PTSD. If the things that you used to enjoy are now burdensome or heavy, you are likely struggling to manage the trauma you are experiencing. When you discover that the trauma interrupts your ability to function as you once did, you likely have PTSD. Again, it is not a character flaw or negative thing about a person if they have PTSD. It is a treatable condition.
It is important that you work with a professional to get a proper diagnosis and understanding of what you are experiencing. One thing to consider is not everyone who experiences trauma will develop PTSD. When we consider this fact, some people have shame around PTSD. They may look at PTSD as a sign of weakness. This is not the case. There is no weakness or shame around trauma and its responses. We do not understand all the reasons that someone develops a response to trauma, but it is not because of a weakness or flaw within a person.
Working with a professional is important because every person is different, and the way that they heal is also different. There are many different approaches to healing from trauma and PTSD. Some promising results have been seen from EMDR, Talk therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Expressive Arts Therapies, and many other options. Often a person will come into my office and say that they want to try EMDR because they heard that it helped a friend. I am so glad that they have been doing research and that they are learning about different options. After we explore their background, interests, and experiences, we may discover that a different approach is better for their situation. Be open to exploring different treatment options until you find the one that will be the best fit for you. Trauma is only part of your story. Learning how to cope with your trauma will help you overcome the significant challenges you are facing, and move forward with your goals and hopes for the future.
Trauma and PTSD can be overwhelming and debilitating. Learning to manage the challenges of PTSD and trauma is one of the focuses that can be an integral part of therapy. Finding a therapist that understands trauma is part of what we do at The Counseling Center. Pairing you with a therapist that fits your needs will be vital to your healing journey. While we all face different traumas in our lives, not everyone will develop PTSD from trauma experience. If you are experiencing challenges from trauma or feel like you might have PTSD, the best thing that you can do is seek out professional assistance. Whether your trauma is in the category of PTSD or other trauma, mental health care will be a benefit.