Can Trauma Be More Than Big Events?
When most people hear the word “trauma,” they think of sudden, life-changing events such as car accidents, assaults, or natural disasters. But trauma isn’t always about a single dramatic moment. Sometimes, it builds quietly over time, from experiences that may seem small or ordinary on the surface. Emotional neglect, toxic relationships, chronic stress, or ongoing discrimination can all leave deep, lasting effects on the mind and body. In this post, we’ll explore how trauma can show up in unexpected ways and why recognizing it, beyond the “big events” is so important for healing.
Defining Trauma Beyond the “Big Event”
Trauma doesn’t always come from a single catastrophic event. Ongoing stressors, relational difficulties, systemic oppression, and medical experiences can all create lasting psychological and physical effects. Understanding these subtler forms of trauma can help you recognize their presence in your life and take steps toward recovery.
Types of Trauma That Aren’t Always Obvious
Complex Trauma (Blue Knot Foundation, 2023)
Complex trauma develops from multiple, repeated stressors over time. Clinicians often refer to this as Complex PTSD (CPTSD). While CPTSD is not officially listed in the DSM, many professionals view it as a significant oversight.
Although often associated with childhood experiences like emotional neglect or ongoing abuse, adults can also experience complex trauma through physical, sexual, emotional, verbal, financial, or spiritual abuse, as well as war or civil unrest.
Common impacts of CPTSD include:
Feelings of shame
Difficulty feeling safe or trusting others
Low self-esteem
Challenges managing emotions
Coping strategies such as substance use, self-harm, over- or under-eating, or overworking
Relational Trauma (Ferguson, 2021)
Relational trauma arises from unhealthy or unsafe relationships, including abuse, neglect, or enmeshment. Examples include gaslighting, controlling partners, or emotionally unavailable caregivers.
Relational trauma can overlap with CPTSD and often affects future relationships. You may notice:
Difficulty setting boundaries
Patterns of toxic relationships
Challenges with self-esteem and self-understanding
Developmental Trauma (Cruz et al., 2022)
Developmental trauma refers to complex, pervasive exposure to life-threatening or disruptive experiences during sensitive periods of child development. These experiences can:
Disrupt attachments
Compromise safety and security
Alter capacities for cognitive, behavioral, and emotional control
Contribute to complex PTSD in adulthood
Examples include: growing up in a chaotic household or with inconsistent caregiving.
Potential long-term impacts:
Poor self-identity development
Persistent interpersonal difficulties
Exposure to family or community violence
Chronic medical or neurological conditions
Cultural or Systemic Trauma
Cultural or systemic trauma arises from oppression, racism, or chronic social stress. Examples include experiencing discrimination, living in high-violence communities, or facing racial, ethnic, or gender-based disenfranchisement.
Potential impacts:
Altered sense of identity
Emotional injury
Depression, anxiety, or low self-esteem
Feelings of guilt, shame, or inadequacy
Increased risk for CPTSD or PTSD
Medical or Health-Related Trauma (Schmoyer-Edmiston, 2023)
Medical trauma occurs when interactions with medical settings—procedures, staff, or environments—create significant psychological impacts.
Possible symptoms include:
Anxiety or depression
Anger
Feelings of helplessness or hopelessness
Physical symptoms like headaches, insomnia, or fatigue
Potential impacts:
Avoidance of medical care
Neglecting health
Development of PTSD
Moving Forward
Trauma isn’t limited to dramatic events. Ongoing stressors and subtle experiences can leave lasting effects on the mind and body. Reflecting on your own experiences and recognizing patterns of hidden trauma is an important step toward healing. If you see yourself in any of these experiences, reaching out for support can be life-changing.
References
Blue Knot Foundation. (2023, December 23). What is complex trauma? Blue Knot Foundation. https://blueknot.org.au/resources/understanding-trauma-and-abuse/what-is-complex-trauma/
Cruz, D., Lichten, M., Berg, K., & George, P. (2022). Developmental trauma: Conceptual framework, associated risks and comorbidities, and evaluation and treatment. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13, 800687. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.800687
Ferguson, S. (2021, December 22). What is relational trauma? Psych Central. https://psychcentral.com/ptsd/what-is-relational-trauma#definition
Schmoyer-Edmiston, N. (2023, June 7). Medical trauma: Dealing with psychological responses to medical events. Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine. https://www.pcom.edu/academics/programs-and-degrees/mental-health-counseling/news/what-is-medical-trauma.html
