Many people think one of the big reasons to seek therapy is when they are feeling overly "bad" or a major event is going on or occurred in the past. Some people think that their upbringing or childhood wasn't "that bad," so they don't have anything to be upset about or work through. Yet, they know something feels off, and they are not feeling fully happy and are just cruising by on autopilot.
Defining Trauma
Trauma is "a deeply distressing or disturbing experience" and refers to the psychological and emotional response to an overwhelming or harmful event, often involving a severe threat to an individual's physical or emotional well-being. Trauma can lead to emotional, mental, physical, social, spiritual, and sometimes physical distress. The effects of trauma can be acute or long-lasting and may impact an individual's overall well-being and daily functioning. Trauma can manifest in various ways, including flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, depression, and difficulties with emotional regulation. Some events that can cause a traumatic response are childhood neglect, living in a family with alcoholism, sudden separation from a loved one, poverty, racism, discrimination, oppression, experiencing violence, or physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.
Little "t" Trauma
Although many of us are familiar with big events that can cause post-traumatic stress disorder, little "t" traumas are lesser known. Little "t" trauma is a term used to describe less severe or less extreme forms of psychological trauma when compared to big "T" trauma. Little "t" trauma encompasses smaller, often more common, and less overtly catastrophic stressors and adversities. These might include experiences like bullying, loss of a pet, divorce or separation, illness, accidents, academic pressure, peer rejection, career uncertainty/stress, or other events that, while not as extreme, can still have a significant and lasting impact on an individual's mental and emotional well-being. The distinction between big "T" and little "t" trauma helps acknowledge that trauma can result from a wide range of experiences, not just the most extreme ones.
Why Does This Matter?
It is important to recognize that although bigger events are the more obvious triggers for a stress response/disorder, smaller experiences can also have lasting effects on mental and emotional health, especially if the experience is pervasive (such as bullying, peer rejection, career stress, ongoing divorce/separation, etc.). Living in a world where everything has to have shock value, it is easy to undermine and overlook present-day symptoms, especially if you are not feeling "overly terrible." However, these symptoms are telling you something - and it is important to take a closer look. Often, there is room for growth and improvement so you can live a more fulfilling and balanced life.
When to Seek Help
If you feel like you are struggling but don't know why, this may be your opportunity to look deeper. Trauma therapy can help you process big and small events alike, and a trained practitioner can help you understand the value and depth of your experiences. At the core of healing, a therapist can also teach you important tools and resources so you can continue to incorporate a reflective and validating practice into your daily life while also utilizing tools to help regulate your emotions and nervous system. Don't wait until it's too late and there is a catastrophic event in your life to seek help; sometimes preventative therapy is just as important as retroactive therapy. In addition, you may discover that certain past experiences (big and small) continue to hold a charge in your life and can be resolved with trauma therapy and processing. There is hope, and if you feel like something feels off, trust your intuition.
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