From the specific situations that trigger trauma to the mechanisms underlying its effects, there exists a wide range of distinguishable forms of this complex phenomenon. Some authors concentrate on naming the different types of traumatic situations (e.g., betrayal trauma, childhood trauma) while others focus on the wide range of symptoms and syndromes that can unfold as a result (e.g., complex posttraumatic stress disorder [C-PTSD], developmental trauma disorder [DTD]).
The growing list of “something trauma” now makes it very challenging to understand what each term means. Is “complex trauma” the same as C-PTSD? What exactly does “childhood trauma” encompass?
Consider that even people exposed to traumatic circumstances—even if they share the same living space and conditions—often display clear differences in how they adapted to the circumstances. This happens because, even when external factors appear similar, each of us deals with individualized internal traumatizing agents (like shame, fear, anger, rejection sensitivity, rumination, and social/familial factors) differently, which impact each one of us uniquely. Allow me to review some common myths surrounding different types of trauma to provide clarity on this important distinction:
“Childhood trauma should not be equated with simply having had an imperfect or flawed childhood.“
Myths About Different Types of Trauma
Myth 1: Developmental trauma is the same as childhood trauma. Developmental trauma (DT) is often mistakenly equated with childhood trauma (CHT), but they represent distinct concepts. DT specifically denotes exposure to prolonged stress or traumatic adversity during the early formative years, which may disrupt a child’s cognitive, emotional, social, and/or physical development. This can include experiences such as domestic violence, neglect, abuse, or unstable living environments. In contrast, CHT encompasses a broader range of adverse experiences occurring during childhood, which can have lasting psychological, emotional, and physical effects. These experiences may range from one-time events like a car crash or the death of a pet to chronic stressors that persist throughout childhood, potentially causing developmental delays. It’s important not to use CHT to label every aspect of an imperfect childhood. Remember that the exposure alone doesn’t constitute trauma unless there are lasting consequences. As you can see in this illustration, DT is a subset of CHT.
Myth 2: Relational trauma, complex trauma, and attachment trauma are synonymous. These three terms refer to distinct experiences, with some overlapping. Relational trauma emphasizes the impact of harmful relationships (romantic, professional, familial, or social) on an individual’s well-being at any age. Complex trauma underscores the effects of prolonged exposure to traumatic events at any age, encompassing a range of experiences beyond solely relational. Attachment trauma specifically concerns disruptions in early attachment relationships, occurring at birth and during the first few years of life, with caregivers and their enduring consequences.
Myth 3: Developmental trauma and DTD are the same. Here is a good place to clarify a big mistake most people make: There is a difference between terms that refer to the exposure to traumatic events versus the consequences of that exposure as a lasting set of symptoms. Developmental trauma refers to the exposure to experiences of prolonged stress or traumatic adversity during early formative years, typically encompassing the period from birth to early adulthood. These experiences can disrupt a child’s cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development, leading to lasting effects on their well-being.
On the other hand, DTD refers to the consequences. This particular name is a proposed diagnosis in the field of psychiatry. It has been suggested to bring attention to the profound and pervasive impact of developmental trauma on an individual’s functioning.
Myth 4: Developmental trauma’s damage is irreparable. Trauma leaves its mark, but it does not break us irreparably. The way our system is designed causes us to get wounded when we are not able to emotionally handle some stressors or threats, but, like with a broken bone, our bodies have the remarkable ability to heal and become strong again. Scars from traumatic injuries may not disappear — the way scars also stay in our skin after a physical hurt — but we could see them as a life fully lived and also as proofs of our strength and resilience, not just the struggles we faced. This is where the mind needs to become our healing ally. In the aftermath of trauma, our scars may help us reevaluate priorities and gain a deeper appreciation for life.
Myth 5: Intergenerational trauma is unavoidable for those whose grandparents were traumatized. Intergenerational trauma has gained recognition as a term used to describe the effects of trauma transmitted from one generation to the next, often observed in families where ancestors have faced significant adversity or traumatic circumstances such as genocides, racism, and oppression. While epigenetic studies have shown that the effects of traumatization can reverberate through family systems, it is a misconception to believe that intergenerational trauma is inevitable for all descendants of traumatized individuals. These findings indicate that descendants may be prone to developing symptoms even without extreme exposure, but this does not mean they are destined to develop a disorder or that they cannot heal.
Written By: Antonieta Contreras
This article was originally published on Psychology Today.