Trauma

Trauma comes in different forms such as

Acute Trauma 
Results from a single overwhelming event (e.g., accident, assault, natural disaster, sudden loss).

Chronic Trauma
 Comes from repeated or prolonged exposure to distressing events (e.g., ongoing abuse, domestic violence, chronic bullying, living in unsafe environments).

Complex Trauma (C-PTSD) 
Develops from multiple, relational, and often early-life traumatic experiences—typically involving caregivers (e.g., childhood abuse, neglect, abandonment). Affects identity, attachment, emotional regulation, and self-worth.

Developmental Trauma 
Occurs when a child’s early attachment needs are unmet or disrupted, even without overt abuse (e.g., emotionally unavailable caregivers, inconsistent caregiving, parentification).

Relational / Attachment Trauma
 Injuries that happen within close relationships (e.g., betrayal, infidelity, emotional abuse, abandonment).

Intergenerational / Transgenerational Trauma
 Trauma patterns passed down through families via behaviors, beliefs, and nervous-system responses.

Collective / Historical Trauma
 Trauma experienced by a group or community (e.g., racism, colonization, genocide, war, systemic oppression).

Medical Trauma 
Distress related to invasive procedures, serious illness, chronic pain, or frightening medical experiences.

Vicarious / Secondary Trauma
 Occurs from exposure to others’ traumatic stories or suffering (common in therapists, healthcare workers)