Understanding the Different Types of Trauma – A Guide by Babette Rotschild

Trauma is a Greek word meaning “wound”, and according to Gabor Mate, trauma is a psychic wound that leaves a scar. But there are several types of trauma. Here is a classification of them according to Babette Rotschild, a psychotherapist in the treatment of trauma.

In the book From trauma to healing, 8 practical strategies for regaining control and safety, Babette Rotschild offers several strategies for people who have been through traumatic events. However, in order to work with trauma, the specialist recommends that we first find out what the type of trauma is. Here are the four types of trauma, according to Babette Rotschild:

Trauma resolved

You have had trauma in the past, but it does not affect your daily life or nervous system. If you have a good quality of life and past trauma is not negatively influencing you, you may think there is no point in muddying the waters by processing memories of the trauma. Trauma, says Babette Rotschild, often heals without trauma therapy, usually through good connection and support gained through one or more close relationships. “It is entirely possible to have cured you without any express intervention,” says the specialist.

A single unresolved trauma

You have experienced a single traumatic event that has ended, but continues to affect you negatively. Or you have lived more than one, but the other(s) are already resolved. “If you are currently stable and secure and able to maintain a sense of stability and security when reflecting on the past, then exploring traumatic experiences may be right for you – if you choose to do so.”

Multiple unresolved traumas, with stability

You are in this situation if you have experienced multiple separate traumatic incidents. When you reflect on the past, you can coherently differentiate each trauma without mixing them up with each other. When you feel safe enough and stable enough, and are able to calm yourself down when thinking about the past, you can explore one incident at a time.

Multiple unresolved traumas, with instability

You have experienced more than one traumatic event. When you reflect on the past, it’s hard to delineate situations, or the details of some creep into others or activate others.

“The decision of whether or not to process your traumatic memories should not be taken lightly,” says Babette Rotschild who believes that some people never want to revisit their traumatic memories, whether or not they believe it would make a difference in their lives . The specialist believes that many people choose not to do this, knowing that they can improve their quality of life and recover from the trauma without processing their traumatic memories.

The good news that Babette Rotschild brings is that people can recover from trauma without therapy. “Resources of all kinds have helped people recover from trauma throughout history. These include quality contact and support found in relationships with humans and animals alike, useful work, faith of one kind or another, and relationship with nature.”

2023-07-29 08:03:30
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