What is Trauma?

Trauma is when something really upsetting or overwhelming happens that makes it hard for you to handle. For young people, trauma can come from things like experiencing domestic violence, neglect, abuse, getting seriously hurt, or seeing something really distressing. These experiences can deeply affect how you feel, think, and act.

Types of Trauma

1. Single Event Trauma: This happens when one major upsetting event occurs. For example, it could be a serious accident or witnessing a crime.

2. Complex Trauma: Sometimes, trauma isn’t just one event but many difficult or harmful experiences happening repeatedly over time. This might include ongoing abuse, neglect, or being exposed to violence.

3. Shared Trauma: Big events like natural disasters or terrorist attacks can affect many people, including kids and their families.

Trauma can change how you see the world, how you feel about yourself, and how you interact with others. It can even affect how your brain works and how you learn.

Identifying the Signs

Everyone reacts to trauma differently, but here are some signs that you or someone else might be struggling:

• Physical Symptoms: Trouble sleeping, nightmares, headaches, stomachaches, or going back to old habits like bedwetting.
• Thoughts and Feelings: Constantly thinking about the event, having trouble focusing, feeling easily annoyed or anxious, or having a persistent low mood.
• Relationships: Difficulty getting along with friends or adults, or feeling distant from others.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

PTSD is when you continue to have symptoms long after a traumatic event. It’s normal to feel upset right after something bad happens, but if these feelings don’t go away, it might be PTSD.

Signs of PTSD include:

• Reliving the traumatic event through thoughts or nightmares
• Avoiding places or things that remind you of the event
• Feeling jumpy or on edge all the time

Not everyone who experiences a traumatic event will develop PTSD. Studies show that between 5% and 67% of young people exposed to trauma might develop PTSD, depending on the type of event and personal experiences.

Getting Help

If you or someone you know is dealing with trauma, it’s important to get support. You can find more information and help on our Find Services page or, if it’s an urgent situation, check out our Urgent Help page for immediate assistance.