There is often a lot of confusion and even self gas lighting about personal trauma. Not everyone has experience a major acute trauma… but you do not need to in order to have experienced trauma and for it to be affecting you. This post discusses the difference between the Little and Big T trauma and what the difference is. It is a great way of explaining and validating different types of traumas and experiences from past and present that may still be affecting you. 

Sooo… what is trauma actually? 

Trauma refers to the lasting distress and pain caused by experiencing a distressing event, which can significantly affect our ability to cope and function. It’s important to note that trauma describes the emotional response to the event, the enduring distress, rather than the event itself. This is why different individuals may have various triggers when experiencing trauma and why one person may experience trauma in one situation but another person may not. Trauma is very subjective and individual. 

So, what one person finds traumatic may not be the same for another. While we often associate trauma with events like natural disasters or violence, these are examples of what is known as “Big T” trauma. However, there is also “Little t” trauma, which is not as widely understood and often goes unnoticed.

Let’s begin by exploring Big T Trauma: Big T Trauma is the type of trauma that usually comes to mind when we hear the word. It is most commonly associated with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Events that can cause Big T Trauma include:

• Experiencing violence
• Witnessing violence
• Surviving a natural disaster
• Facing life-threatening situations
• Witnessing a death
• Suffering from sexual violence

This type of trauma also falls under the category of acute trauma, resulting from a singular traumatic event rather than ongoing distress.

Acute trauma can manifest in various ways, such as:

• Heightened or excessive anxiety
• Insomnia
• Increased and irrational sense of distrust
• Dissociation
• Feeling disconnected from one’s surroundings
• Irritability
• Frequent confusion
• Increased aggression

Now, let’s discuss Little t trauma: Little t trauma arises from distressing events that exceed our ability to cope or disrupt our emotional functioning. These events may not necessarily be life-threatening or physically violent but often involve a series of ongoing emotionally distressing situations. In fact, repeated exposure to little t trauma can sometimes cause more emotional harm than Big T Trauma. Examples of little t trauma include:

• Emotional abuse
• Ongoing financial concerns
• Divorce
• Bullying
• Non-life-threatening injuries
• Harassment

Little t trauma often leads to chronic trauma, particularly in cases of emotional abuse, childhood bullying, and harassment, as these involve repeated exposure to emotional distress, which defines chronic trauma.

Symptoms of chronic trauma may include:

• Heightened anxiety
• Irritability
• Memory issues
• Sleep problems
• Fatigue
• Distorted perception of surroundings
• Increased rage

Little t trauma is often overlooked and can be a source of self-shame. People may not even realize they are experiencing trauma symptoms because they haven’t lived through a singular “traumatic event.” However, if you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, you may be living with little t trauma.

Another type of trauma is complex trauma, which results from exposure to multiple traumatic events or a combination of both Big T and little t trauma.

Your little t trauma is valid. I am here to help you feel fully expressed in ALL of your experiences, emotions and feelings. Everything is welcomed.