Emotional and Psychological Trauma

It is not the event that determines whether something is traumatic to someone, but the individual's experience of the event.

What is emotional or psychological trauma?

The ability to recognize emotional trauma has changed radically over the course of history. Until rather recently psychological trauma was noted only in men after catastrophic wars. The women's movement in the sixties broadened the definition of emotional trauma to include physically and sexually abused women and children. Now because of the discoveries made in the nineties, known as the decade of the brain, psychological trauma has further broadened its definition.

Recent research has revealed that emotional trauma can result from such common occurrences as an auto accident, the breakup of a significant relationship, a humiliating or deeply disappointing experience, the discovery of a life-threatening illness or disabling condition, or other similar situations. Traumatizing events can take a serious emotional toll on those involved, even if the event did not cause physical damage

Regardless of its source, an emotional trauma contains three common elements:

• it was unexpected
• the person was unprepared
• there was nothing the person could do to prevent it from happening

It is not the event that determines whether something is traumatic to someone, but the individual's experience of the event. And it is not predictable how a given person will react to a particular event. For someone who is used to being in control of emotions and events, it may be surprising – even embarrassing – to discover that something like an accident or job loss can be so debilitating.

CHILDHOOD TRAUMA

In addition to physical, sexual and verbal abuse, this can include anything that causes the child to feel worthless, unlovable, insecure, and even endangered, or as if his only value lies in meeting someone else's needs. Examples cited in the report include "belittling, degrading or ridiculing a child; making him or her feel unsafe [including threat of abandonment]; failing to express affection, caring and love; neglecting mental health, medical or educational needs."

SEXUAL ABUSE

1. The forcing of unwanted sexual activity by one person on another, as by the use of threats or coercion.
2. Sexual activity that is deemed improper or harmful, as between an adult and a minor or with a person of diminished mental capacity.

ACTS AGAINST YOUR WILL

Any act inflicted on a victim against their will, regardless of the reason.

VICTIM OF VIOLENCE

Victims of violent crime" can have varying meanings and limitations. In this discussion of crime victims, "victims" refers to the persons who have been directly harmed or have experienced loss due to the crime committed against them, immediate family members, including parents or guardians, siblings, spouses or common law spouses, and children of those against whom the violent crime has been committed. The reason for this inclusion of family members within the definition of victims is because they are also harmed and experience loss due to the crime committed against their loved ones, especially if their loved one has been murdered.

Violent crime is when an offender uses intimidation or physical force resulting in the harm of another person. Examples of violent crime include, but are not limited to: homicide, manslaughter, aggravated assault and assault causing bodily harm (see glossary for definitions). These are only a few types of violent crime and other violent crimes should not be excluded from the definition.

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