What is traumatic assault?

• Acute trauma results from a single incident.
• Chronic trauma is repeated and prolonged such as domestic violence or abuse.
• Complex trauma is exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive, interpersonal nature.

What are the 4 types of trauma responses?

The Four Types of Trauma Responses

Each trauma response type – fight, flight, freeze and fawn – has distinct characteristics. Recognizing these can help individuals identify their own reactions to stress or danger and seek appropriate support.

How does a person with trauma behave?

Emotional reactions to trauma can include: fear, anxiety and panic. shock – difficulty believing in what has happened, feeling detached and confused. feeling numb and detached.

How long does shock last after an assault?

It is the human reaction to an unnatural or extreme event. This phase occurs immediately after the assault and usually lasts a few days to several weeks.

How do trauma victims act?

Initial reactions to trauma can include exhaustion, confusion, sadness, anxiety, agitation, numbness, dissociation, confusion, physical arousal, and blunted affect. Most responses are normal in that they affect most survivors and are socially acceptable, psychologically effective, and self-limited.

What is the most immediate feeling after an assault?

Right after a sexual assault, many people are in shock. The survivor may appear to be calm, composed, and subdued. Some people express their feelings outwardly by crying, shaking, yelling or even laughing.

What are the 4 C's of trauma?

These 4 Cs are: Calm, Contain, Care, and Cope 2 Trauma and Trauma-Informed Care Page 10 34 (Table 2.3). These 4Cs emphasize key concepts in trauma-informed care and can serve as touchstones to guide immediate and sustained behavior change.

What are toxic stress symptoms?

What mental illness is caused by trauma?

Overview. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that's caused by an extremely stressful or terrifying event — either being part of it or witnessing it. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

How do I know if I'm traumatized?

Emotional Trauma Symptoms

Psychological Concerns: Anxiety and panic attacks, fear, anger, irritability, obsessions and compulsions, shock and disbelief, emotional numbing and detachment, depression, shame and guilt (especially if the person dealing with the trauma survived while others didn't)

What is the most damaging trauma?

Emotional abuse is often a misunderstood form of trauma, perhaps the most damaging type of abuse, that leads to long-term consequences for adults (Heim et al. 2013).

What happens to the brain after trauma?

When someone experiences a traumatic event or experiences extreme fear, brain chemistry is altered and the brain begins to function differently--this is called the "Fear Circuity" and it is a protective mechanism which we all have inside of us.

Where is trauma stored in the body?

This can happen anywhere in the body, and for trauma survivors, it is most commonly held in the core of the body, the stomach, abdomen, and low back, as well as the upper torso, chest, shoulders, and spine.

Can trauma turn you into an abuser?

Although child abuse and trauma can have distressing lifelong effects, this does not cause someone to abuse their partner later in life. Surviving child abuse or witnessing domestic violence as a child does not ultimately determine that someone will become an abuser themselves.

What is a PTSD blackout?

Understanding PTSD and Blackouts

They involve reliving the trauma through flashbacks or nightmares, avoidance of situations that remind one of the trauma, heightened reactivity to stimuli, and even severe anxiety and depression. Blackouts, on the other hand, specifically refer to episodic memory loss.

What to say to a traumatized person?

Tell them you are there to listen whenever they feel ready. Reassure them you care and want to understand about what happened to them. They may feel like you can't possibly understand what they went through and shut you out. This may increase their risk of becoming isolated from their support networks.

Why does trauma cause hypersexuality?

Individuals who have experienced trauma may struggle with low self-esteem, feelings of shame and guilt, and difficulty regulating their emotions. Hypersexuality can be a way for them to regain a sense of control over their bodies and their experiences, or to numb painful emotions.

How does a person get out of an assault situation?

Someone Acting in Self-Defense or the Defense of Others

Other possible defenses in your case could include mistaken identity, false accusation, shady stuff, lying witnesses and lying cops.

How do you know your body is releasing trauma?

Physical Sensations

Tingling or Warmth: You may feel tingling sensations or warmth in certain areas of your body as trauma is processed and released. Muscle Tension and Relaxation: Muscles that have been chronically tense due to trauma may suddenly relax, leading to a sensation of relief or heaviness.

Is crying when angry a trauma response?

For some, crying when angry isn't just about the immediate situation—it can be a response deeply rooted in past experiences and unresolved trauma.

What are the 7 trauma responses?

Besides the typical fight, flight, freeze, and fawn, there are a few more responses you may not be familiar with. Fright, flag, and faint are a few of the lesser-known trauma responses that are theorized by professionals of this field.