Trauma’ is defined by the lingering psychosomatic response to overwhelming events. Essentially, it is anything that happened too fast, too much, too soon or should’ve happened and didn’t.

Since Trauma is a complex and multifaceted experience that can significantly impact an individual's mental, emotional, and physical well-being, you might be wondering which type of trauma do you have?Understanding the different types of trauma is essential for fostering empathy, awareness, and support for those affected.

Let’s have a look at the different types of trauma:

• Physical Trauma: This category includes injuries or harm to the body caused by accidents, falls, violence, or medical procedures. Physical trauma can lead to immediate physical health issues and potential long-term effects.

• Emotional or Psychological Trauma: This category involves experiences that cause intense emotional distress and disrupt an individual's sense of safety and well-being. Emotional trauma can lead to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.

• Developmental or Childhood Trauma: This type of trauma occurs during childhood and can have significant impacts on an individual's emotional and psychological development. It includes experiences like neglect, physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, parental substance abuse, domestic violence, or the loss of a caregiver. 

• Vicarious Trauma: This category involves the indirect exposure to traumatic events through hearing about or witnessing the trauma experienced by others. 

• Collective Trauma: This type of trauma refers to the shared experience of a traumatic event by a group or community, such as a natural disaster, terrorist attack, or war. 

• Systemic Trauma: Systemic trauma results from long-standing patterns of discrimination, oppression, or social injustice experienced by certain groups based on factors such as race, gender, sexual orientation, or socioeconomic status. 
• Traumatic Grief or Loss: This category involves the trauma associated with the death of a loved one, particularly when the death is sudden, violent, or unexpected. 

• Interpersonal Trauma: Interpersonal trauma stems from harmful actions or behaviors inflicted by individuals on others, such as physical or sexual abuse, domestic violence, bullying, or harassment. 

• Medical Trauma: This type of trauma is related to experiences within the medical context, such as serious illnesses, medical procedures, surgeries, or chronic medical conditions. 

Now that you may have a better understanding of the type of trauma you may be experiencing, here are some tips on what to do next in your healing journey:

• Seek Professional Help: Reach out to a mental health professional, such as a therapist, counselor, or psychologist, for guidance and support. 
• Build a Support Network: Surround yourself with individuals who understand and support your healing journey.
• Educate Yourself: Learn about trauma and its effects to gain a deeper understanding of what you are experiencing. 
• Practice Self-Care: Prioritize self-care activities that promote healing and well-being. This can include exercise, mindfulness, relaxation techniques, adequate sleep, and engaging in hobbies or activities that bring you joy and peace.
• Journaling and Expression: Consider keeping a journal to express your thoughts and feelings. 
• Develop Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Work with a mental health professional to develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and triggers. 
• Be Patient with Yourself: Healing from trauma takes time and effort. Practice patience and self-compassion as you navigate through the healing process. 
• Consider Support Groups: Join support groups where you can connect with others who have experienced similar traumas. 
• Practice Yin Yoga, Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques: Incorporate yin yoga practices, mindfulness and grounding exercises into your daily routine to stay present and manage anxiety. 

Understanding and acknowledging the different types of trauma is essential for creating a compassionate and supportive society. By promoting awareness, fostering understanding, and providing resources and care, we can help survivors on their path to healing and recovery.

Interested in learning about trauma recovery and yin yoga? I’ll be leading a 50hr Trauma-Informed Yin Yoga Online Teacher Training. Don’t miss out on this training on trauma physiology and sensitivity teaching. Click here for more information.