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Compare and contrast trauma and complex trauma, including an example illustrating the differences in effect (e

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Compare and contrast trauma and complex trauma, including an example illustrating the differences in effect (e. g. witnessing a car wreck vs. being held, hostage).

 

The post below is the answer to the directions above. Reply to the post below using citations from references used. List references. Minimum of 250 words: 

 

Trauma happens when an individual experiences a distressing event or events that cause an emotional response and overwhelms their ability to cope (Briere & Scott, 2015). In order words, trauma is not the event but how an individual body responds to the event. When comparing and contrasting trauma and complex trauma, trauma can be one single distressing event, while complex trauma can be multiple prolonged painful events (Lewis et al., 2021). There are three main types of traumas: acute trauma, chronic trauma, and complex trauma (Sprang et al., 2020). Acute trauma can be one single short-term event like a vehicle accident, sexual assault, or a natural disaster. Acute trauma can affect how a person behaves and thinks because the traumatic event can threaten the emotional and physical safety of the individual (Ross et al., 2021). Chronic trauma happens when a person is exposed to prolonged stressful situations such as domestic violence, chronic illness, or sexual abuse. When acute trauma is not treated, it can become chronic trauma. Someone with chronic trauma can even develop symptoms years after the traumatic event. Some of these symptoms can show up in an individual as being emotionally reactive, having trust issues, anger outbursts, flashbacks, nausea, body aches, anxiety, fears, and unstable relationships (Lewis et al., 2021). Complex traumas happen when there is exposure to multiple types of traumas an individual experience over a long period. Complex trauma can include a combination of both acute and chronic traumas. However, complex trauma can also include kidnapping, sex trafficking, wars, childhood abuse, neglect, and other prolonged repetitive traumatic events (Lewis et al., 2021). Complex trauma severely affects an individual cognitive functioning making it difficult for them to process information or remember.  Ross et al. (2021) said that although a person who experiences acute and chronic trauma can develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), a person with complex trauma is more prone to developing it.

 

Trauma affects everyone in different ways. Therefore, a single event may or may not have a lasting negative impression on one individual compared to another. One way to know how a person is affected by the trauma is to pay attention to the symptoms, how often it happens, and how long after the traumatic event occurs, they develop them. When someone experiences a trauma, it might be challenging to process the experience, which can keep them stuck and prevent them from moving forward. Isaiah 43:18-19 reads, "Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland" (English Standard Version, 2001). Rumination and intrusive memories can make it difficult for trauma survivors to forget their past traumas. However, God promises to make a way for us and give us new experiences.

                                                                                                                                  References 

 

Briere, J. N., & Scott, C. (2015). Principles of trauma therapy: A guide to symptoms, evaluations, and treatment (DSM-5 updated).

 

English Standard Bible. (2001). Crossway Bibles.

 

Levers, L. L., (2012). Trauma counseling: Theories and interventions. Springer Publishing Co.

 

Ross, S. L., Sharma-Patel, K., Brown, E. J., Huntt, J. S., & Chaplin, W. F. (2021). Complex trauma and trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy: How do trauma chronicity and PTSD presentation affect treatment outcome? Child abuse & neglect, 111, 104734. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104734

 

Sprang, G., Bush, H. M., Coker, A. L., & Brancato, C. J. (2020). Types of trauma and self-reported pain that limits functioning in different-aged cohorts. Journal of Interpersonal Violence, 35(23-24), 5953-5975. https://doi.org/10.1177/0886260517723144