Are we overusing the word 'Trauma'?

In recent years, the word trauma has become increasingly popularized, mainstreamed and one the latest new buzz word of the decade.

The truth is that everyone experiences some kind of trauma in their lives but it’s important to keep in mind that the majority of people will not become traumatized as a result.

What defines someone as having experienced a traumatic event?

In psychology, trauma refers to a severing or destruction of the normal development process that occurs when an individual endures an event or circumstances that are overwhelming in nature.

Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is diagnosed when a person has been exposed to a traumatic event and experiences symptoms that last for at least one month after that event.

To match the diagnosis, the criteria should include exposure to an extreme stressor threatening someone’s life or sense of safety, intrusive recollections of the event that cause severe distress or problems functioning, persistent avoidance of stimuli associated with the event, and numbing of general responsiveness (i.e: emotional detachment or dissociation from others) and alterations in arousal and reactivity including hyperarousal like being easily startled (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

The problem with using the word 'trauma' to describe every emotional upset or challenge is that it minimizes the experience. When we use it as a catchall for any emotional upset, we erase the experiences of people who have faced true trauma—those who have been physically or emotionally abused, for example.

In addition, using the word too much can lead to mental health issues in those who are constantly reminded of their victimization or those of others.

The word "trauma" is especially inescapable on social media, where it is used to describe everything from a car accident to an awkward encounter. But why?

The reason behind the overuse of the word may be that people want to make their lives seem more dramatic. People often use words such as trauma or crisis to describe situations that are less severe than they are. This can be a way for people who have experienced a traumatic event to cope with their feelings about it.

People also use the word trauma because they think it will elicit sympathy from others. For example, when someone says, 'I feel like my life is falling apart,' it could be interpreted as an attempt to get others' attention and make them feel sorry for what happened.

In a world where individualistic tendencies are the norm, no wonder we want to connect with others and feel validated.

A Traumatic Experience Is Impactful But Not Always Victimizing

While trauma can invoke a terrifying and debilitating response, in some cases it can be a catalyst for positive changes and there are numerous examples of how people have experienced post-traumatic growth as a result of extreme hardship.

Post-traumatic growth is a term that refers to an improvement in life as a result of experiencing trauma. The idea behind this concept is that traumatic experiences can result in positive changes in people's lives; it does not imply that the trauma itself was good or beneficial, but rather that the outcome of the experience was positive for those who experienced it.

People who have experienced trauma are more likely to engage in meaningful, spiritual, or altruistic activities than those who have not been through any major hardships. They also tend to have an increased appreciation for life and a stronger sense of personal identity than those who have not gone through such circumstances

We as a society need to recognize that not everyone who experiences an emotional upset has been through true trauma; instead, we should try to find other words for these experiences so we can better help those who need it most.

If something happens to you and it makes you feel sad or angry for a short period, then it probably wasn't traumatic—and the same goes for positive experiences.

Here are some tips for helping you and your loved ones accurately define experiences:

Ask yourself: How long did the experience last? Did it happen once or multiple times? Did it occur in childhood or adulthood? Did it happen recently or years ago? Did it involve physical or psychological harm? If so, how severe were these elements?

If you're still unsure whether something was traumatic, ask yourself: What was your reaction afterward? Did you have nightmares about what happened at night, flashbacks during the day, or physical symptoms like headaches or stomachaches related to stress? Did your behavior change after the event—like spending less time with loved ones or avoiding certain places altogether because they remind you of what happened?

Reflecting about your personal experiences or being mindful about the use of the word “trauma” means in no way that this should invalidate your experience or deter you from seeking professional help but rather, to focus on empowering yourself and moving forward rather than getting stuck.

We must find other ways to define people's responses to their circumstances, one that is accurate and has the potential to help rather than harm.

When it comes to dealing with mental health issues, semantics are important. The words we use help determine how others perceive our feelings and experiences. We should be careful not to be careless when it comes to labeling ourselves, or others.

Sources:

American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and statistical manual of mental disorders (5th ed.). https://doi.org/10.1176/appi.books.9780890425596