Trauma and Abuse

Trauma and PTSD

Information & Characteristics:

  • Trauma results from exposure to an event or series of events that are emotionally disturbing or life-threatening. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition triggered by experiencing or witnessing such events.

  • Symptoms include flashbacks, severe anxiety, uncontrollable thoughts about the event, and emotional numbness.

Definitions:

  • Trauma: A deeply distressing experience that may affect mental and emotional health.

  • PTSD: A disorder characterized by failure to recover after experiencing or witnessing a terrifying event.

Attachment Trauma

Information & Characteristics:

  • Occurs when the bonds formed in infancy or early childhood with primary caregivers are disrupted or absent, leading to difficulties in forming secure, healthy relationships in adulthood.

  • Symptoms may include anxiety in relationships, fear of abandonment, and difficulty trusting others.

Definitions:

  • Attachment Trauma: Emotional and relational harm stemming from insecure or failed early attachments.

Sexual Abuse

Information & Characteristics:

  • Sexual abuse involves unwanted or coerced sexual activity. It may result in long-term psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, and difficulties with trust and intimacy.

  • Victims often experience feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-esteem.

Definitions:

  • Sexual Abuse: Any unwanted sexual activity inflicted on an individual.

Religious Trauma

Information & Characteristics:

  • Religious trauma involves emotional and psychological harm inflicted through religious or spiritual teachings or practices.

  • Symptoms can include fear, guilt, anxiety, and difficulty in overwhelming feelings of condemnation or shame.

Definitions:

  • Religious Trauma: Emotional damage caused by spiritual or religious belief systems, teachings, or experiences.

Recovery from Narcissistic Abuse

Information & Characteristics:

  • Narcissistic abuse is a form of emotional abuse where a narcissistic individual manipulates and controls someone, causing ongoing emotional harm.

  • Victims often endure manipulation, gaslighting, emotional instability, and feel invalidated.

Definitions:

  • Narcissistic Abuse: Emotional abuse exercised by an individual with narcissistic traits, causing psychological harm to the victim.