What causes trauma

70% of us will experience at least one traumatic event in our lifetime, and many suffer after such experiences.

Globally, around 4% of the world’s population will experience events that are so distressing, threatening, and overwhelming that they will develop post-traumatic stress disorder.

What are the most common causes of PTSD?

Sexual violence, such as rape and other kinds of sexual abuse and assault, is the leading cause of PTSD.

Sexual violence is all about violence and not much about sex. It's evil, hurtful, and harmful.

Claims of sexual violence are usually true. They should not be dismissed without careful consideration.

The second leading cause of PTSD is domestic abuse. These are behaviors that frighten, intimidate, terrorize, manipulate, hurt, humiliate, blame, injure, or wound someone within the walls of our homes.

For each person traumatized in war or conflict, many more are traumatized at home by someone who should have loved and protected them.

One of the most common traumas is an unexpected loss of a loved one. It can lead to complicated grief and PTSD. 

Other major causes of PTSD are traumas related to war and conflict, witnessing something negative happening to someone we know, and experiencing physical violence, accidents, and disasters.

In general, the more intense and long-lasting the traumatic event was, the higher the risk of PTSD.

Who is most vulnerable to becoming traumatized?

Generally, males experience more traumatic events, but females are more likely to develop PTSD.

Other vulnerability factors are:

·      Younger age

·      Having experienced earlier traumas, including adverse childhood experiences

·      Previous mental disorders and substance abuse

·      Lower socioeconomic status, and

·      Lack of social support

In this world, trauma is a reality. Many traumatic events are people willfully hurting people. Traumatized people need someone who will stand with them, protect, and defend them, and who will be kind, compassionate, and supportive.

In the next video, we will explore what trauma does to our brains and our bodies.