Do you sometimes freeze or get angry quickly if something doesn’t suit you?
What are shock and developmental traumas and how do people cope with trauma?
There were days when I was unable to do anything. And on other days, I was so angry that I had to do sports to channel that energy.
This emotional instability is called emotional dysregulation.
These are the consequences of my emotional (and partly physical) abuse in childhood.
But what are the types of trauma and how do people usually deal with them?
Disclaimer: The information in this article is not a substitute for professional therapy or medical advice. Please seek the help of a qualified mental health professional if you are struggling with trauma.
Types of trauma
Shock trauma
In a shock trauma, a person experiences an emotionally distressing situation beyond measure (such as an accident or an environmental disaster).
The body is so overwhelmed that it goes into a state of shock. Possible symptoms:
- Disorientation
- Feeling numb
- Inability to talk about the event
- High stress
- Restlessness
- Social withdrawal
- Circulatory problems
- Nausea, rapid heartbeat, sweating
- Possible amnesia
The symptoms can subside on their own after some time. If they do not decrease and persist longer, it may be post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Developmental trauma
A person experiences developmental trauma in childhood. It influences their development and, above all, their ability to form attachments.
What causes such trauma?
- Emotional and psychological abuse
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse
- Death of a close person
Developmental trauma can have worse consequences, the younger the child is, the closer the relationship to the perpetrator, and the longer the abuse lasts.
Four trauma types according to Pete Walker
Pete Walker is an American therapist and author known for his work on complex trauma and the development of the concept of “complex PTSD”.
(This text passage was created with AI.)
Flight type, common characteristics are:
- Withdrawal and isolation
- Challenges are not faced
- Avoidance of emotions through addiction or excessive work, training
- Feelings of shame, guilt, and low self-worth
Fight type, common characteristics are:
- Conflicts are fought
- Active (often exaggerated) defense
- Strong anger and/or aggression
- Lack of trust in others
- Difficult to relax
Freeze type, common characteristics are:
- Feeling trapped or paralyzed
- Avoidance of conflict
- Cannot express emotions
- Feel alone
Fawn type, common characteristics are:
- Suppression of own needs
- Extreme adaptation to others, resulting in little to no display of own personality
- Fear of rejection
- Feeling inadequate
- Difficulties in setting boundaries
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People can behave differently depending on the day and situation, of course. The fawn type was extremely pronounced in me, although I didn’t even realize it. And after adapting too much to others (although most didn’t expect it from me), I became angry and started to defend my boundaries too extremely. Almost like the fight type in me.
If you suspect that you have trauma, please seek professional help.
