2.4 Types and sources of trauma

Trauma can be something which happens to oneself (direct), or it can be witnessed as something happening to another person (indirect). It may have occurred recently or happened in the distant past.

Trauma types can be described as the following:

• Type 1 trauma – one off, unexpected incidents and events.
• Type 2 or complex trauma – those which are repeated. Complex trauma is sometimes referred to as relational or developmental trauma and this occurs due to negative interpersonal experiences in relationships which should have been protective.
• Vicarious trauma – describes the indirect trauma that can occur when exposed to traumatic images and stories second-hand. This is often experienced by those in helping professions as they are regularly exposed to the trauma experienced by others.
• Collective trauma – refers to the psychological impact experienced by a group of people who have undergone a shared traumatic event or series of events. Unlike individual trauma, which affects a single person, collective trauma impacts entire communities, societies, or nations. This type of trauma can result from natural disasters, wars, genocides, terrorism, pandemics, or other catastrophic events that affect large groups of people simultaneously.

The diagram below shows different types of trauma experiences.

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Type 1 Trauma examples. Car accident. Natural disaster. Physical and sexual assault. Violent crime. Traumatic loss of a loved one or close person. Surgery. School violence. Type 2 Trauma examples. Physical abuse. Emotional abuse. Sexual abuse. Neglect. Domestic abuse. Attachment trauma. Bullying. Religious trauma. Poverty. Vicarious Trauma examples. Police officers. Firefighters. Doctors and nurses. Social workers. Anybody supporting a person who has experienced trauma. Collective Trauma examples. Race-based trauma. Refugee trauma. War and acts of terrorism. Genocide and mass violence. Forced displacement. Natural disaster. Pandemics.