What is Trauma?
Nenita Batica | Psychologist in Wheelers Hill | Accredited EMDR Practitioner
"Sadly, disturbing experiences can overwhelm the system.. the memory of the situation becomes stored in the brain as you experienced it.
What you saw and felt, the image, the emotions, the physical sensations and the thoughts become encoded in memory in their original, unprocessed form".
Francine Shapiro in Getting Past Your Past: Take Control of Your Life with Self-Help Techniques from EMDR Therapy, 2012
Trauma is not defined solely by catastrophic events. It is the lasting imprint left when experiences overwhelm your capacity to cope, particularly when support, protection, or attuned care were absent.
Single-Incident Trauma
Single incident trauma refers to a clearly identifiable event. For example, an accident, assault, medical crisis, or sudden loss that continues to generate distress long after it has passed. These experiences may be associated with symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Some symptoms may include flashbacks or intrusive memories, hypervigilance, avoidance, recurring nightmares or physiological reactivity.
Complex & Developmental Trauma
Complex trauma develops through repeated or prolonged exposure to overwhelming experiences, often beginning in childhood. This may include emotional neglect, chronic criticism, inconsistent caregiving, boundary violations, or growing up in environments where emotional needs were minimised or dismissed.
Complex trauma can also develop later in life through cumulative and repeated exposure to distressing events. For example, working in high-stress environments such as the caring industry, emergency services or veterinary practice, where repeated exposure to suffering, moral strain, and high stakes decision-making can gradually overwhelm the nervous system.
Rather than existing as a single memory, complex trauma becomes embedded in relational expectations, nervous system patterns, and core beliefs about self-worth, safety, and belonging. It is often subtle yet deeply influential, shaping how we relate to ourselves, others, and the world over time.
Vicarious trauma
Vicarious trauma refers to the cumulative emotional impact of being repeatedly exposed to other people’s, or in some professions, animals’ trauma and suffering. It can affect professionals who provide care, support, or medical treatment, particularly in high empathy roles.
Over time, this indirect exposure can shift how a person experiences themselves and the world. It may lead to emotional exhaustion, heightened anxiety, intrusive imagery, cynicism, difficulty switching off, or changes in core beliefs about safety, trust, and meaning.
How Trauma Manifests in Adulthood
Unprocessed trauma frequently presents as:
- Difficulty sustaining secure, reciprocal relationships
- Heightened sensitivity to rejection or conflict
- Persistent self-criticism or internalised shame
- Emotional overwhelm or, conversely, emotional numbing
- High achievement paired with underlying anxiety
- A tendency to prioritise others while neglecting personal needs
These responses are adaptive. They developed intelligently in response to earlier environments. However, what once ensured survival can later restrict authenticity, intimacy, and emotional freedom.
It’s important to remember that trauma is not a sign of weakness. It is a natural response of an empathetic nervous system to sustained exposure to distress. With appropriate support and processing, its impact can be understood and reduced.
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