Clinical Definition of Trauma:

Overview: PTSD develops after exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence. It involves intrusive symptoms (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares), avoidance of trauma-related stimuli, negative changes in mood and cognition, and hyperarousal (e.g., irritability, exaggerated startle response).

• Duration: Symptoms persist for more than one month.
• Specifier: With dissociative symptoms (depersonalization or derealization).

Overview: Similar to PTSD but occurs within the first month after trauma exposure. It includes symptoms of intrusion, negative mood, dissociation, avoidance, and arousal.

• Duration: Symptoms last between 3 days and 1 month after the traumatic event.
• Progression: Can resolve or develop into PTSD if symptoms persist beyond one month.

Overview: Emotional or behavioral symptoms in response to an identifiable stressor (e.g., job loss, divorce, moving). Symptoms are out of proportion to the severity of the stressor and cause significant distress or impairment.

Subtypes:

• With depressed mood
• With anxiety
• With mixed anxiety and depressed mood
• With disturbance of conduct
• With mixed disturbance of emotions and conduct
• Unspecified

Duration: Symptoms appear within 3 months of the stressor and resolve within 6 months after the stressor is removed.

Overview: A condition in children resulting from severe neglect or unstable caregiving, leading to emotionally withdrawn behavior toward caregivers. The child rarely seeks or responds to comfort when distressed.

• Age Range: Diagnosed in children between 9 months and 5 years.
• Key Features: Minimal social and emotional responsiveness, limited positive affect, and unexplained episodes of irritability, sadness, or fear.

Overview: A condition in children characterized by overly familiar and culturally inappropriate behavior toward unfamiliar adults due to severe neglect or institutionalization.

• Key Features: Lack of reticence when approaching strangers, overly familiar verbal or physical behavior, reduced checking back with caregivers, and willingness to leave with an unfamiliar person.
• Age Range: Typically seen in children at least 9 months old.

Overview: This category is used when trauma-related symptoms cause distress or impairment but do not meet the full criteria for any specific disorder.

Examples:

• Partial PTSD (symptoms do not fully meet PTSD criteria)
• Delayed onset of symptoms
• Cultural variations in trauma reactions

Overview: This diagnosis is used when trauma-related symptoms are present but there is insufficient information to make a more specific diagnosis. Often used in emergency settings or when further assessment is needed. 

Goal: Establish emotional and physical safety.

Trauma survivors often experience dysregulation (hyperarousal or dissociation). Before processing trauma, individuals need to feel safe, both internally and externally.

 Key Aspects:

• Basic Needs: Ensuring stability in housing, food, finances, and physical health.
• Emotional Regulation: Learning coping skills to manage overwhelming emotions.
• Psychoeducation: Understanding trauma responses (fight, flight, freeze, fawn).
• Grounding Techniques: Mindfulness, deep breathing, sensory-based grounding.
• Therapeutic Alliance: Establishing trust with a therapist or support system.
• Boundaries & Self-Care: Learning to set limits and prioritize well-being.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) for emotional regulation
• Somatic therapy (breathwork, body awareness)
• Medication management (if needed for anxiety, PTSD, or depression)

Goal: Process traumatic memories in a way that reduces distress.

Once a person is emotionally stable, they can begin to explore and process the trauma.

Key Aspects:

• Cognitive Restructuring: Identifying and challenging distorted trauma-related thoughts.
• Exposure Therapy: Gradual exposure to traumatic memories in a safe setting.
• Narrative Therapy: Retelling the trauma story to gain a sense of control.
• Grief Work: Acknowledging losses associated with trauma (loss of safety, trust, identity).

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Trauma-Focused CBT (TF-CBT): Restructuring trauma-related thoughts.
• Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Processing traumatic memories.
• Prolonged Exposure Therapy (PE): Gradual exposure to trauma-related stimuli.
• Internal Family Systems (IFS): Addressing different "parts" of self that hold trauma.

Goal: Reclaim personal power and rebuild relationships.

After trauma processing, survivors begin to reconnect with themselves, relationships, and society in a meaningful way.

Key Aspects:

• Identity Rebuilding: Redefining self-worth outside of the trauma.
• Trust & Intimacy: Rebuilding safe relationships.
• Empowerment: Engaging in activities that restore confidence and autonomy.
• Forgiveness & Acceptance: (Optional) Letting go of self-blame or resentment.
• Purpose & Meaning: Finding new goals, passions, and life purpose.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT): Finding values-based meaning.
• Group Therapy: Building social connections.
• Expressive Therapies: Art, music, drama therapy.
• Mind-Body Practices: Yoga, meditation, acupuncture.

Goal: Transform trauma into a source of resilience and wisdom.

True healing is not about "forgetting" trauma but integrating it into one’s story in a way that fosters growth.

Key Aspects:

• Self-Compassion: Accepting the past without self-judgment.
• Resilience: Using learned skills to navigate future challenges.
• Advocacy & Helping Others: Some trauma survivors find purpose in supporting others.
• Spiritual or Existential Meaning: Exploring faith, philosophy, or life purpose.

Therapeutic Approaches:

• Positive Psychology: Focusing on strengths and gratitude.
• Narrative Therapy: Rewriting one’s trauma story in an empowering way.
• Community Engagement: Volunteering, mentoring, or advocacy.