TRC Toolkit: UNDERSTANDING TRAUMA

Trauma is a complex physiological phenomenon triggered by external, distressing events which overwhelm normal coping responses. Trauma can occur as a single acute event, cluster of events, or as chronic traumatic or toxic stress. Chronic traumatic stress can lead to physiological changes in a person’s brain and body. Outcomes from exposure to trauma can range from mild to severe depending on many factors, including developmental status and the presence of supportive relationships.

When a person experiences trauma, physiological changes occur in both the brain and the body, increasing baseline stress and loss of sense of control. Examples of traumatic events include: physical, sexual or emotional abuse, early neglect, witnessing violence, serious accidents, refugee or war experiences, natural disasters, poverty, and discrimination.

The more an individual is exposed to a variety of stressful and potentially traumatic experiences, the greater the risk for chronic health conditions and health-risk behaviors later in life. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include a range of common, but preventable, events or circumstances that may be traumatic to children during the first 18 years of life. The CDC ACEs study demonstrated that over 60% of people have experienced at least 1 ACE, and 20% have experienced 3 or more.

A. THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA

  • Physiological changes occur in the brain and body

  • Fractured experience of the traumatic event

  • Increased baseline stress and arousal

  • Loss of sense of control

  • Loss of sense of self, confusion, shame

  • Disruptions to sleep, eating, digestion

  • Relationships feel insecure

  • Internal sensations may be unmanageable and unbearable

  • Self-regulation is extremely difficult

  • Heightened emotions, labile emotions, numbing, dissociation

  • Misperceptions of the world and people as unsafe

  • Triggers and flashback experiences

  • Behavioral adaptations to manage unbearable sensations and relationships

B. CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

The more an individual is exposed to a variety of stressful and potentially traumatic experiences, the greater the risk for chronic health conditions and health-risk behaviors later in life. Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) include a range of common, but preventable, events or circumstances that may be traumatic to children during the first 18 years of life. The CDC ACEs study demonstrated that over 60% of people have experienced at least 1 ACE, and 20% have experienced 3 or more.

C. DEFINITIONS

Adversity – Challenges we face in life.

Stress – Our physiological response to adversity, ranging from healthy, to tolerable, to toxic.

Toxic Stress – Acute stress that is beyond our current capacity to cope (especially when we fear for our safety), or chronic stress without time to recover and in the absence of supportive relationships.

Trauma – When stress is toxic it leads to changes in the brain and nervous system, which negatively impact functioning.

Complex Developmental Trauma – When stress is toxic during childhood, it leads to changes in foundational neurodevelopment, with potentially long-lasting impacts across multiple developmental domains.

D. RESOURCES & REFERENCES

Duckworth, Sylvia. (2022). Wheel of Power and Privilege. EozJbpXWEAIbKf7.jpg (sdpride.org)

Harvard University, Center on the Developing Child. (2021). Science To Policy and Practice: 3 Principles to Improve Outcomes. https://harvardcenter.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/3Principles_Update2021v2.pdf

National Center for Injury Prevention and Control, Division of Violence Prevention. (2021, April 6). About the CDC-Kaiser ACE Study. https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/aces/about.html

Spinazzola, J., Habib, M., Blaustein, M., Knoverek, A., Kisiel, C., Stolbach, B., Abramovitz, R., Kagan, R., Lanktree, C., and Maze, J. (2017). What is complex trauma? A resource guide for youth and those who care about them. Los Angeles, CA, and Durham, NC: National Center for Child Traumatic Stress. what_is_complex_trauma_for_youth.pdf (nctsn.org)

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Understanding Child Trauma. Understanding Child Trauma - What is Childhood Trauma? | SAMHSA Child Maltreatment: Facts at a Glance (cdc.gov).

The National Childhood Traumatic Stress Network, About Child Trauma. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network (nctsn.org)

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