PTSD is more than trauma by Sam Conn, A-LPC, NCC, MS

These days, it is increasingly common to hear terms such as “trauma,” “triggered,” and “PTSD” used in schools, online spaces, and everyday conversation. At the same time, many people minimize their own painful experiences, believing that what they endured was not “serious enough” to cause a trauma response. As a result, both trauma and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) are often misunderstood in contemporary culture.

When discussing PTSD, it is important to first understand what trauma is. The DSM-5-TR ((Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed., text rev.) defines trauma as exposure to “actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence” This exposure may occur through directly experiencing the event, witnessing it happen to someone else, learning that it happened to a close friend or family member, or through repeated exposure to distressing details of traumatic events.

Trauma can result from a single overwhelming event—sometimes referred to as “Big T”—such as a natural disaster, severe accident, assault, or combat. It can also stem from ongoing distressing experiences, sometimes called “little t” traumas, including chronic bullying, emotional neglect, relational wounds, or prolonged stress that leaves a lasting emotional impact over time. While these experiences may not always fit society’s stereotypical understanding of trauma, they can still significantly affect a person’s emotional and physical well-being. In other words, someone does not have to experience war or survive a catastrophic event to struggle with trauma-related symptoms.

PTSD symptoms can appear in many different ways. Some individuals experience flashbacks, intrusive memories, hypervigilance, panic attacks, irritability, sleep disturbances, avoidance behaviors, emotional numbness, or persistent negative thoughts or beliefs. These symptoms can have a significant impact on relationships, daily functioning, and an individual’s overall sense of safety and well-being.

The good news is that several effective, evidence-based treatments are available for PTSD and trauma-related symptoms. One approach I frequently use with clients is Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, developed by Francine Shapiro, PhD, in the late 1980’s. When a traumatic or highly distressing experience occurs, aspects of the memory—including images, thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations—may become insufficiently processed by the brain. Clients often describe this experience as feeling “stuck,” as though the event continues to affect them long after the danger has passed.

EMDR therapy uses bilateral stimulation to help clients process distressing memories in a way that reduces their emotional intensity and supports adaptive healing. Rather than erasing memories, EMDR helps the brain reprocess

traumatic experiences so they no longer feel as overwhelming or emotionally charged. In

many cases, clients report feeling “unstuck,” with memories becoming more manageable

and less disruptive, allowing them to move forward with greater clarity and emotional

freedom.

Here at Maryville Counseling, we are dedicated to supporting individuals struggling with

trauma in all its forms because you deserve healing, support, and compassionate care. If you

are experiencing trauma-related symptoms or simply want additional support, we encourage

you to reach out to inquire about services or schedule a consultation to determine whether

one of our dedicated trauma therapists may be a good fit for you.

References

American Psychiatric Association. (2022). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental

disorders (5th ed., text rev.).