Psychological trauma
Psychological trauma
Psychological trauma (pronunciation: /ˌsaɪkəˈlɒdʒɪkəl ˈtrɔːmə/) is a type of damage to the mind that occurs as a result of a distressing event. Trauma is often the result of an overwhelming amount of stress that exceeds one's ability to cope, or integrate the emotions involved with that experience.
Etymology
The term "trauma" originates from the Greek word "τραῦμα" (trauma), meaning "wound". In the context of psychology, it refers to an emotional or psychological wound or shock that creates substantial, lasting damage to the psychological development of a person.
Definition
Psychological trauma is the unique individual experience of an event or enduring conditions, in which:
- The individual’s ability to integrate his/her emotional experience is overwhelmed, or
- The individual experiences (subjectively) a threat to life, bodily integrity, or sanity.
Types of Psychological Trauma
There are several types of psychological trauma, including:
- Acute trauma: This type of trauma occurs as a result of a single stressful or dangerous event.
- Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events. Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence.
- Complex trauma: This type of trauma is usually associated with exposure to multiple traumatic events.
Related Terms
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): A mental health condition that's triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it.
- Trauma-informed care: A framework that involves understanding, recognizing, and responding to the effects of all types of trauma.
- Trauma therapy: The process of working with a therapist to determine the cause of trauma.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Psychological trauma
- Wikipedia's article - Psychological trauma
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