When people think about trauma, they often focus on newsworthy life-or-death traumatic experiences. While these events are undoubtedly scary and devastating, trauma can entail much more than war, natural disasters, or severe assault. 

In some cases, even “everyday experiences” may trigger traumatic responses and result in PTSD symptoms. Therefore, understanding these types of trauma (and their potential impact) is imperative for individuals and their loved ones. 

Bullying 

Bullying is a form of chronic emotional abuse that can happen to anyone at any age, but it’s often dismissed as the natural “growing pains” of childhood. Unfortunately, children who experience bullying may face a heightened risk for anxiety, depression, physical illness, and suicidal behavior. 

Adults who face bullying may also face adverse consequences. For example, they often struggle in the workplace, feel insecure in personal relationships, and have lower self-esteem. 

If you or someone you love has been bullied, don’t overlook its impact. Bullying often makes people feel afraid or unsafe in everyday settings, like work or school. It can also trigger immense feelings of shame, inferiority, and worthlessness.

Toxic Work Conditions 

Many people feel stressed at work, but dangerous work conditions can severely impact your mental health. Over time, you may feel increasing resentment, apathy, or rage towards your employer or workplace. 

Signs of a toxic workplace include:

• Being harassed by your boss, coworkers, or clients. 

• Needing to perform tasks outside of your scope of competence or job description.

• Working in physically unsafe conditions.

• Being threatened by people in the workplace.

• Feeling consistently pressured to take on more obligations. 

These symptoms can trigger PTSD responses like avoidance, hypervigilance (feeling alert or “on guard” at all times), and isolating yourself from other activities or relationships. Similarly, if you feel entirely burnt-out in your job, you risk decreased productivity, which can lead to even more frustration and anxiety.  

Poverty and Financial Insecurity 

Financial insecurity refers to the stress people feel about earning, spending, or saving money. Financially insecure people often struggle to pay their bills and experience ongoing worry about managing future expenses. Research shows that 75% of Americans report experiencing financial insecurity at some point in their lives. 

Such stress can undoubtedly impact one’s physical and mental health. After all, money plays a fundamental role in our well-being. If there isn’t enough to pay the rent or purchase groceries, this stress only worsens.

Prolonged poverty or financial insecurity can create other problems. If you cannot adequately take care of your physical health, serious medical issues may arise. Moreover, money problems are often closely tied to multifaceted problems like substance use, criminal activity, gambling, and compulsive spending.

Parental Emotional Abuse 

People often associate child abuse with physical acts of violence like hitting or pushing. But emotional abuse can be just as detrimental to a child’s well-being.

Unfortunately, parents can emotionally abuse their children in many ways, including:

• Having unrealistic expectations for their behavior or performance.

• Criticizing or shaming them.

• Making threats about leaving or hurting them.

• Guilting them for being “hard children” or ruining the parent’s life.

• Blaming them for causing all the problems in the home.

• Neglecting them (failing to provide affection, warmth, or attuning to basic needs).

• Consistently prioritizing other relationships or interests over parenting.

To make matters worse, many parents deny, downplay, or make excuses for their behavior. This can leave children feeling confused. Some may question if they are overreacting or “imagining” things. Others may feel abandoned or alone- they may feel completely unloved, and those challenging feelings can transcend into adulthood.

Medical Injuries or Chronic Sickness

Anything that compromises your physical health can certainly impact your mental health. Therefore, injuries, concerning diagnoses, and chronic sickness may be traumatic. Many people experience depression and anxiety symptoms in relation to their health concerns. 

That’s because these medical issues often require making serious changes to your daily routine. For example, you might need extra support with mobility or completing basic tasks. In some cases, specific symptoms may make it challenging (or even impossible) to complete your usual activities.

Furthermore, specific medical experiences within a healthcare setting can be traumatic because they are inherently life-threatening. Such instances may include:

• Experiencing complications during childbirth.

• Comas.

• Prolonged stays in the emergency room.

• Undergoing dangerous or experiential procedures.

• Experiencing medical negligence. 

Why Recognizing All Types of Trauma is Important 

Trauma can profoundly impact how you see yourself, others, and the world around you. Unresolved trauma corresponds with numerous mental health conditions, and it can severely affect your quality of life.

All types of trauma are valid. If you are struggling with something that happened to you in the past, acknowledging your feelings is the first step towards healing. 

You deserve support and compassion during this vulnerable time. Therapy offers an inviting space to process your emotions and learn new ways to cope with distressing triggers. Your trauma doesn’t have to define you, and it doesn’t have to dictate your well-being. Contact me today to learn more.