Understanding Trauma and PTSD: Insights into Healing

Trauma is not a one-size-fits-all experience. It affects everyone differently and can manifest in various forms. Broadly, trauma can be categorized into three types: acute, chronic, and complex.

Types of Trauma

• Acute trauma involves a single, sudden event — for example, a car accident or a violent incident.

• Chronic trauma stems from repeated or prolonged exposure to distressing experiences, such as ongoing bullying, childhood neglect, or being in an abusive relationship.

• Complex trauma occurs when someone is exposed to multiple traumatic events over a long period, often beginning in early life.

  
  

In this post, I will focus on acute (or "simple") trauma.

How Trauma Affects Us

Human beings are complex, and so is our response to trauma. How we process a traumatic experience is shaped by various factors. These factors include our beliefs, past experiences, and the support we receive from others. Even the way people treat us during or after the event can make a significant difference.

For instance, if you were involved in a road traffic accident, the emotional aftermath can vary greatly based on how others responded. Were they kind and supportive, or dismissive and unhelpful? That context can significantly influence your healing.

What Happens in the Brain After Trauma?

When we experience something deeply threatening — like a serious accident or assault — our brain goes into survival mode. It quickly stores vivid details about the event. Why does it do this? Because it wants us to learn from the experience and avoid similar dangers in the future.

To illustrate: try to recall what you had for breakfast last Thursday. Unless something unusual occurred, you likely don’t remember much. However, if I asked about a traumatic experience, you might vividly remember the sights, sounds, and feelings. Trauma memories tend to be intense and sensory-rich.

Trauma can also interfere with memory. Some individuals find they cannot remember key aspects of what happened, especially the parts that feel most important. This can be frustrating and distressing, but it is a common aspect of how trauma impacts the brain.

Symptoms of Trauma and PTSD

Many people experience intrusive symptoms after trauma. These symptoms include sudden, unwanted memories that surface in your mind and are often triggered by reminders of the event. They can show up as nightmares or vivid flashbacks.

You might also start to avoid people, places, or situations that remind you of the trauma. For instance, you might avoid driving after a car crash or stay indoors after dark following an attack. This avoidance is your brain’s way of trying to protect you from further harm.

Other common symptoms include:

• Low mood or emotional numbness

• Loss of interest in activities you once enjoyed

• Increased irritability or anger

• Changes in belief systems, such as feeling the world is unsafe or that danger is always lurking

• Hypervigilance, or being constantly on edge

• Sleep problems and difficulty concentrating

  
  

Healing from Trauma

What Helps?

The good news is that for many people, these symptoms begin to ease over time. Within six months, noticeable improvements often occur. By about one year, things can look and feel significantly better.

Here are some strategies that can aid in the healing process:

• Stick to your routines as much as possible. Structure and familiarity can provide stability.

• Challenge “what if” thinking. Remind yourself that the danger has passed — you are safe now.

• Tell the story of the trauma, especially when intrusive memories arise. Repeating the narrative, including how you survived, helps the brain process and integrate what happened.

• Revisit the place where the trauma happened. This may seem counterintuitive, but returning to the scene can often be healing. It allows you to see it as it is now, rather than through the lens of trauma.

• Keep engaging in activities you used to enjoy. Although they might not feel pleasurable at first, participating in them can slowly bring back a sense of normalcy and joy.

  
  

Recovery from trauma is absolutely possible. Everyone’s path looks different, but with the right support and understanding, your brain and body can begin to let go of the constant state of alarm.

Finding the right resources can also play a crucial role in your recovery journey. You can learn more about effective strategies for dealing with trauma here.