An Overview of Psychic Trauma
and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PSTD)
12 Steps
TRAUMA, PTSD, and COMPLEX PTSD
Steps 1-3
1. What is trauma?
The psychiatric definition of "trauma" is "an event outside
normal human experience." Trauma generally leaves you feeling
powerless, helpless, paralyzed. It tends to be sudden and
overwhelming; it "owns" you. You cannot think clearly during
and after a severe trauma; at the same time, you are forced to
focus your consciousness in an attempt to deal. One author
defines trauma as "any sudden and potentially life-threatening
event." This refers to one-time traumatic events, but most of
it applies to prolonged, repeated trauma as well.
2. Some instances of one-time trauma.
• natural disasters (earthquake, flood, hurricane, etc)
• rape
• assault
• muggings
• robbery
• accidents (automobile, airplane, train, etc)
• fires
3. Some instances of prolonged trauma.
• physical or sexual abuse as a child or spouse
• war
• life in a prison camp
• life as a refugee
• hostage situations
• life in a concentration camp
• life in some religious cults
