Written by: THE BALANCE
Medically reviewed by Dr. Sarah Boss, MD
Last updated: January 19, 2026
Fact checked
Quick Summary
  • Trauma refers to any stressful event which causes an emotional, psychological and physical impact on the person.
  • Some people are strong and do not let trauma impact their social and personal life.
  • Those who are emotionally vulnerable, tend to get more affected by trauma than others.
Reading time: 6 min

Trauma refers to any stressful event which causes an emotional, psychological and physical impact on the person. The ability of every person to cope with the traumatic event varies. Some people are strong and do not let trauma impact their social and personal life. Those who are emotionally vulnerable, tend to get more affected by trauma than others. After going through trauma, people go into a state of shock, depression, and psychosis.

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They do not want to continue with their daily life activities. Treating depression and other psychological issues is very important as they can lead to life-threatening thoughts. Psychotherapy and counseling of the patients are necessary for helping them get out of this mental situation. Following are the different types of trauma. (source: APA, n.d.)

It usually happens at schools, colleges, and universities. In such an environment, naughty children make fun of the kids. It also happens in public gatherings where people tend to make fun of those who seem vulnerable and unable to defend them. It causes a direct blow to the self-confidence of the person. One feels depressed. It negatively impacts his self-esteem. Bullying in schools leads to a high rate of dropouts from the schools.

It usually happens in societies with no law and order. The absence of law leads to the might is a right phenomenon. Powerful get opportunities with the help of their strength and power. Poor people are vulnerable. They are victims of physical violence and economic violence in society by strong people. It further leads to community violence and imbalance among the different classes.

 Natural disasters include floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. All of these disasters impact the lives of people living in those affected areas. The loss of human life, economic loss, social loss, and emotional trauma takes place after these natural disasters. People remain in a state of shock for months after these natural disasters. Their life turns upside down and they get hurt emotionally, mentally, and financially. (source: NIMH, n.d.)

This type of trauma usually occurs till the age of 6 years. Children who are part of broken and poor families go through tough situations. The absence of parents and financial issues hurt the mental health of the children.

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They do not get enough care and money which can fulfill their needs. They fail to make friends or intermingle with them. It leaves a deep impact on their brain and emotional health. (source: WHO, n.d.)

Most of the females go through domestic violence. All over the world and especially in Asian countries, women are more subjected to domestic violence. Women face domestic violence by the husbands and males of the families. Poor economic conditions and financial dependence of the females on the males lead to domestic violence.

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Education and job opportunities for women are the solution for ending domestic violence all over the world. South Asia mostly has a patriarchal society and it has added to the domestic violence for women. (source: NHS, n.d.)

Medical trauma refers to the psychological impact of the medical issue. It usually happens with young children. Young children are more prone to have this. As a result of any disease and medical problem, children become mentally depressed. It takes them months to get out of that mental state. Emotional support by the parents and families is necessary for helping them get out of that depression.

The death of a dear one or the happening of some traumatic incident in life leads to post-traumatic depression. Most people get depressed and sad after the occurrence of such events. It takes them weeks to get out of grief. They do not want to continue and carry out their life activities. Depression often leads to self-harm and suicide as well. (source: SAMHSA, n.d.)

Terrorist activities are also increasing in the world because of transnational movements. They result in both psychological and physical trauma for the people. People are facing the loss of life, finances, and economic life. This is also the type of trauma that is impacting the lives of people in every way possible.

Trauma that results after the single occurrence of the traumatic experience is called acute trauma. This event could be physical assault, accident, natural disaster, or anything like that. After going through a single event, a person shows the symptoms of depression and sadness.

 Trauma that results after going through a series of traumatic experiences is called chronic or repetitive trauma. The repeated episodes of violence and bullying lead to chronic trauma. (source: NICE, 2018)

This trauma refers to the type of trauma which is going on for centuries and since history. Examples of this type of trauma include colonialism and genocide. Both of these events not only impact the current generation but their impacts also pass on to the next generations. This type of trauma has both psychological and emotional consequences on the upcoming generations.

Living with people who are depressed and have seen trauma results in inter-generational trauma. People who are usually in the company of depressed and sad people also face psychological issues and remain more prone to getting stressed. It is called intergenerational trauma. This also passes on to the descendants of their parents.

Racial trauma refers to the maltreatment of a specific race. It usually happens because of prejudiced thinking and discriminatory behavior toward them. The African apartheid system was also an example of racial trauma. The discriminatory behavior with the black people in western countries gives the demonstration of the racial trauma. (source: Psychiatry.org, n.d.)

Trauma that results during and after the war is known as war trauma. War causes physical damage and also impacts people emotionally and psychologically. These events include the refugee crisis, forced displacement, and economic shortfall.

Trauma that results from exposure to multiple events and incidences is called complex trauma. People who are going through physical violence at home, bullying at work and economic crisis at the same time are a perfect examples of the victim of complex trauma.

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