Misconceptions of Trauma

There are a lot of misconceptions when it comes to trauma. After all, it can be a scary thing that invades many people's lives. Trauma can take on many forms, it can be all-consuming very suddenly, and it can also happen slowly over time. I think it's essential to address this and have conversations about trauma, as it affects so many people, and it's so draining if we believe there is no way out. 

Asking for Help is Weakness 

One common misconception I think continues the stigma attached to trauma is the belief that "If I ask for help, that means I can't handle it on my own, and I'm weak." When the opposite is true, it takes strength to ask for help, with traumatic experiences and even just with everyday life. Think about what's happening when we ask for help; we take a step out of our comfort zone. When asking for support, we admit that we don't know everything in the universe (because, after all, who can know everything in the universe)—and ultimately, we are being vulnerable, acknowledging that we need help. Those things alone are not easy, and combined they take both courage and strength. There is nothing weak about it. 

Only "Big" Traumas Are "Real" Traumas 

A second misconception is that only really "Big" Traumas deserve help or have trauma-related symptoms. I've often heard this belief accompanying this type of misconception, "It wasn't that big of a deal, and I shouldn't be reacting or feeling this way. What is wrong with me?" 

I have found that some may not be aware that there are different types of trauma. For example, A "Big T" Trauma is an event like a natural disaster, experiencing war, a severe car accident, or a violent crime. A "Little t" trauma is something outside of this that overwhelms our ability to cope. This can range in events; it could be a life transition like moving to a new city, a divorce or a breakup, consistent stress at work, school, or home. All of these can be traumatic. And it also all depends on what the person finds to be traumatic and what overwhelms their processing system. What overwhelms one person may not overwhelm the next. 

One thing is for sure, no matter the situation, "Big T" or "Little t," how the person in that situation feels is what truly matters. If that person feels overwhelmed and unable to cope, it's likely that that situation is traumatic and deserves the attention that trauma needs. There is nothing in this to feel guilty about. After all, our response to something traumatic is a normal response to an abnormal event, and that is nothing to feel guilty about. 

Experiencing Trauma Always Ends in a PTSD Diagnosis

A third misconception is that experiencing trauma will always end with a PTSD diagnosis (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). While it is certainly possible for someone to experience PTSD after also experiencing something traumatic, it doesn't always happen in that way. Some risk factors that may increase the likelihood of someone developing PTSD are exposure to a traumatic event, getting hurt or seeing someone else being hurt or killed, and experiencing trauma as a child. Some other risk factors are feeling helpless or extreme fear, having less social support after the event, dealing with additional stress after the event itself, and/or having a family history of mental health issues or substance use. Some factors can help someone be more resilient and can reduce the likelihood of developing PTSD. These can be having support from friends, family, or support groups. The ability to accept and feel okay regarding the normal reactions to the abnormal event. Having coping strategies, learning ways to self-soothe or respond to upsetting events (National Institute of Mental Health). 

I hope this blog post has been helpful. I genuinely believe that the more we talk about responses to trauma, the more we can normalize it and break the stigma around mental health and trauma. If you know someone who has experienced trauma (Small t or Big T), please share this posting to work on breaking this stigma together. If you are looking for an anxiety therapist, trauma therapy, or EMDR therapy here in Florida, please reach out. As a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in Florida, I offer free 15 minute consultations. If I am not the right person to provide the help you need, I will do my best to help you find the support you are looking for.