Understanding the Three Types of Trauma: Acute, Chronic, and Complex

As a therapist with over 15-years in the social services field and over 9 specifically specializing in trauma, I've seen how trauma shapes people's lives, and I believe knowledge is power when it comes to healing. Today, we're going to break down the three main types of trauma in a way that makes sense.

Acute Trauma: The Single-Event Impact

Think of acute trauma like a sudden thunderstorm that leaves a lasting impression. It happens once, but its effects can echo for a long time. This is the type of trauma that comes from one powerful event – maybe a car accident, an assault, or losing someone to suicide.

Here's what makes acute trauma unique:

• It has a clear beginning and end

• The memory of it is usually very specific

• Your body and mind remember exactly when it happened

Many of my clients feel shame about still being affected by "just one event." Let me be clear: there's no such thing as "just" when it comes to trauma. Your feelings are valid, and your response is normal. Many people with single-event traumas dismiss the impact or downplay it while comparing to what others have gone through. This is not helpful because it downplays the actual changes in the brain that can occur after one singe event. One single event can change your brain, which in turn, can lead to ongoing symptoms of anxiety, depression, and avoidance behaviors.

Chronic Trauma: The Ongoing Storm

Chronic trauma is different. Imagine instead of one thunderstorm, you're dealing with rain that keeps falling, day after day. This type of trauma happens when someone faces repeated or prolonged stressful events. Think about situations like:

• Living with domestic violence

• Ongoing bullying at school

• Growing up with addiction in the family

• Dealing with a long-term illness

The tricky thing about chronic trauma is that people often don't realize they're experiencing it while it's happening. They might think, "This is just how life is." But let me tell you straight up – it's not. Your body and brain are storing these experiences and creating neuro-networks to reinforce feelings around these, or similar, experiences, that can interrupt your life forever.

“Strong people aren’t simply born, they’re made by the storms they walk through”

Complex Trauma: The Deep-Rooted Impact

Now, complex trauma – this is the heavyweight of the trauma world. It usually starts early in life and involves multiple traumatic experiences, often within relationships that should have been safe. As a therapist, these are some of the most challenging cases I work with, but also some of the most rewarding when healing begins.

Complex trauma often includes:

• Childhood abuse or neglect

• Being raised by parents with untreated mental illness

• Living in an environment where you never felt safe

• Experiencing multiple types of trauma at once

Here's what makes complex trauma different: it doesn't just affect what happened to you – it shapes who you think you are. Many of my clients with complex trauma carry deep shame and guilt, believing they're somehow responsible for their experiences. They may know intellectually that they were not, but the chronic exposure to being dismissed as a child leads to low self worth, and underlying feelings of not being “good enough.” Imagine how hard it is for someone to advance in a job, manage stress in a relationship, or raise kids, if they are constantly questioning their own worth, intelligence, and validity as a human?

How These Types of Trauma Show Up in Real Life

Let's get practical. Each type of trauma can show up differently in your daily life:

Acute trauma might make you:

• Avoid certain places or situations

• Have sudden intrusive memories/flashbacks

• Feel anxious when reminded of the event

Chronic trauma often leads to:

• Always being on guard and jumpy

• Having trouble trusting others

• Developing physical health problems due to chronic stress on the body

• Feeling like danger is always around the corner

Complex trauma frequently causes:

• Deep-seated shame

• Difficulty maintaining relationships

• Problems knowing who you really are

• Struggles with emotional regulation

The Path Forward

Here's what I want you to take away from this: understanding your trauma type is the first step toward healing. It's like having a map – you might still be in challenging territory, but at least you know where you are.

And let me tell you something I tell all my clients: healing is possible. I've seen it happen countless times. It doesn't matter which type of trauma you've experienced – there's always a path forward and unhelpful things you’ve learned to adapt, can be unlearned.

I like to think of a broken bone. When a bone is broken and is allowed to heal well (therapy), once it heals, it is stronger in that spot than it was previously. It is stronger and more resilience and is highly unlikely to break in the same spot again.

You might be reading this and recognizing your own experiences. Maybe you're feeling that knot in your stomach or that tightness in your chest. That's okay. That's your body telling you that this matters, that this is real.

Taking Action

If you're dealing with any type of trauma, here's what I want you to know:

• You're not broken

• Your responses make sense given what you've been through

• Help is available

• Healing happens at your own pace

Remember, trauma isn't just about what happened to you – it's about how your mind and body learned to protect you. Those protections might have kept you safe then, but if they're limiting your life now, it's okay to learn new ways of being.

Understanding trauma is the first step. The next step is yours to take, when you're ready. Whether that's talking to a trusted friend, finding a therapist, or simply acknowledging your experiences – every step forward counts.

You've got this, and you don't have to do it alone. Learn more about Trauma Therapy or contact me with any questions.