Is There Really a Big “T” and Little “t” Trauma?
Some therapists talk with their clients about big “T” and little “t” trauma. I don’t particularly like these terms because they can leave clients feeling as though they can’t ask for help if they don’t have big “T” trauma. The most important thing about discussing big “T” and little “t” trauma is emphasizing that all types of trauma can negatively impact a person’s wellbeing, and therapy can help relieve the symptoms caused by trauma of any kind. Trauma is trauma. In this blog, you can learn a bit more about trauma, its effects, and how therapy can be beneficial.
What is Trauma?
Trauma is the body and brain’s response to traumatic experiences. A traumatic experience is anything that overwhelms our ability to process emotions, thoughts, and reactions, leading to a heightened response often referred to as fight, flight, or freeze. Think about your everyday life. For however many years you’ve been on the earth, you’ve experienced situations that your mind and body perceive as traumatic. You hear an argument between your neighbors. You see a bus barely miss hitting a cyclist. You trip over the runner on your stairs and nearly fall. Each of these moments, you may have experienced a heightened fight, flight, or freeze response. Now, imagine this happens to you several times a day for years. Over time, your mind and body are tired. They don’t always know when it’s the right time to turn off that fight, flight, freeze response, so you end up feeling stuck in survival mode. Then, one more thing happens. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big “T” or a little “t” trauma. It’s just one unresolved trauma too many, and you’re overwhelmed.
Why do People Talk About Different Kinds of Trauma?
It’s human nature to categorize things. We do this all day long, but regardless of the “type” of trauma, the effects remain the same. Many people believe only big, life-threatening experiences can lead to trauma, but by introducing the concept of a little “t” trauma, we help people understand that there are a range of experiences that can overwhelm the ability of our mind and body to cope in specific situations.
Even if I Experience Little “t” Trauma, Can I Have Symptoms?
Absolutely. That’s where the categorization becomes problematic. People hear little “t,” and they feel like their problems are – well – little. To the brain and body, trauma is trauma. Regardless of the source, you can experience a wide range of responses and therapy can help you address them.
Let’s Work Together to Move Beyond Trauma
Therapy can help you heal and move beyond past traumas, and it can help you develop tools and strategies that increase resilience when new traumas arise. You can’t avoid traumatic experiences. Life is traumatic, but with a good support network, you can change your own response to trauma. When you’re ready to get started, reach out to me, Ashley Pichardo, a licensed mental health counselor, offering support for people who are struggling with trauma and a range of other concerns.
