Little t trauma refers to events that typically don't involve violence or disaster, but do create significant distress. For young adults, examples of small trauma might be a breakup, the death of a pet, losing a job, getting bullied, or being rejected by a friend group.
Little "t" trauma (sometimes called small "t") refers to relatively smaller-scale, more personal, distressing events that anyone can go through at some point in life, and they're often not life-threatening or as (obviously) scarring.
Understanding Little t Trauma
Some types of childhood trauma or adolescent trauma don't involve violence, death, or disaster, yet they can still have significant negative effects. Any event or ongoing situation that causes distress, fear, and a sense of helplessness may qualify as little t trauma.
The symptoms of trauma range from mild to severe. Many factors determine how a traumatic event affects a person, including : their characteristics. the presence of other mental health conditions.
Type 1 Trauma
They can be referred to as big T trauma, shock, or acute trauma. A condition related to big T trauma or Type 1 trauma is Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Examples of type 1 trauma might include: Severe illness or injury.
A term coined by Dr. Lenore Terr to characterize multiple, long-standing or repeated exposure to traumatic events; associated with broader psychological consequences and coping deficits.
There are three main types of trauma: Acute, Chronic, or Complex. Acute trauma results from a single incident. Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged such as domestic violence or abuse. Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature.
Minor trauma is the result of an injury, and while you need medical attention, you may not require a visit to the emergency room. Common minor trauma injuries include: Lacerations (cuts) in your skin that may require sutures (stitches) Injuries involving the feet, ankles, lower legs, and knees.
“Soft trauma” is prolonged physiological or emotional abuse. All forms of abuse fall into this category (child abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, narcissistic relationships, domestic abuse, etc.). The physical evidence of soft trauma is usually delayed.
Early childhood trauma generally refers to the traumatic experiences that occur to children aged 0-6.
Barbash stops short of saying that a collection of small 't' traumas can cause PTSD, but admits “it is possible that a person can develop some trauma response symptoms.” Psychotherapist Sara Staggs offers a similar perspective in her blog for Psych Central, pointing out that PTSD and stress reactions following trauma ...
According to The National Child Traumatic Stress Network, "A traumatic event is a frightening, dangerous, or violent event that poses a threat to a child's life or bodily integrity. Witnessing a traumatic event that threatens life or physical security of a loved one can also be traumatic."
Unhealed childhood trauma wounds are the emotional and psychological wounds that can be caused by experiences or relationships during our formative years.
Events that fall within the Big T category include serious injury, sexual violence, natural disasters, and life-threatening events. Little t trauma can also lead to feelings of powerlessness, in addition to internalized shame.
Most people are indeed entirely unaware that they are suffering from trauma at all. Many put their symptoms and negative experiences down to stress which is often vague and unhelpful, particularly when trying to get to the core of the problem.
If you can recall times when you've overreacted, and perhaps have even been surprised at your own reactions, this may be a sign of trauma. It's not uncommon for people suffering from emotional trauma to have feelings of shame and self-blame.
If the trauma is left untreated, one can experience nightmares, insomnia, anxiety, depression, phobias, substance abuse, panic attacks, anger, irritability, or hopelessness.
Attachment and relationships
Another warning flag of childhood trauma that carries over into adulthood are problems forming attachments and relationships. For example, if your childhood trauma was caused by a loved one or caregiver, you may learn to mistrust adults.
Other deaths resulting from blunt force trauma involve jumping or falling from heights, blast injuries, and being struck by a firm object, such as a fist, crowbar, bat, or ball. Bite wounds and chop injuries may be considered variants of blunt force trauma, sharp force trauma, or a class of injuries unto themselves.
Note: type I = single event; sudden and unexpected, high levels of acute threat; type II = repeated and/or protracted; anticipated. Missing for a participant (in type I trauma group).
Perhaps one of the most common forms of trauma is emotional abuse. This can be a common form of trauma because emotional abuse can take many different forms. Sometimes it's easy for emotional abuse to be hidden or unrecognized.
Toxic trauma (TT) denotes the complex of systemic and organ injury caused by toxic agents. Often, TT is associated with other injuries that also require the application of life-support techniques. Rapid onset of acute respiratory failure and consequent cardiovascular failure are of primary concern.