Areas of Care
Trauma
Trauma refers to a person’s experience and response during and immediately after a life-threatening or highly distressing event. Trauma is not the same as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. However, the difference between trauma and PTSD isn’t defined by the severity or type of event.
Some trauma can be processed quickly, but some traumatic events get “stuck” in the mind and body, replaying over and over and affecting every aspect of life. When trauma is unprocessed or untreated, it can become lodged in the nervous system and lead to PTSD.
The main difference between trauma and PTSD is how the traumatic event affects each individual, and how long the “trauma response” continues. The mental, emotional, and physical effects of any event can vary from person to person—even when it is the same situation, such as a mass shooting event or car accident.
Examples
While unresolved trauma might be at the root of some people’s anxiety issues, there are particular types of events more likely to be classified as “trauma.” These trauma events tend to be more extreme in nature than those that can cause lower levels of anxiety (like taking a test). The symptoms of trauma are typically more extreme too. The list below references very sensitive topics and could be triggering to read. Please note that this list is not exhaustive. If you or a loved one has experienced any type of trauma, Santa Fe’s Counseling Center is free and confidential and can refer clients for additional help if desired.
Traumatic Event: There are the obvious “big” events like war, natural disasters, suffering a tragic loss (like that of a parent or sibling), and undergoing a serious surgery. Even seemingly minor events can be traumatic, such as changing schools, being publicly shamed, being fired, being in a car accident, or losing a pet.
Abuse/Assault: Whether physical or sexual, abuse and assault are extremely traumatic experiences. Regardless if the event happened in childhood or adulthood, and was committed by a stranger or a known person, it’s still trauma. Sadly, a lot of child abuse occurs over the span of years and goes unreported—and therefore untreated and unprocessed—which can have significant impact later in life. If this happens, the affected person may not even know why they are experiencing symptoms of PTSD.
Discrimination/Harassment: Mental, emotional, and verbal abuse (from parents, partners, coaches, employers, and others) can also be experienced as trauma. Some traumatic events like racism and sexism in school or the workplace are violations of legal protections and can be reported through campus channels. Other traumatic experiences can be subtle, but no matter what—the SF Counseling Center is here to help.
War: According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, as many as 30% of veterans suffer from PTSD, and around 17 vets commit suicide each year. The violence of war is difficult for even the toughest of military heroes to process, especially when it involves members of your own unit or best friends. Memories of war and what’s colloquially called “survivor’s guilt” can affect our sense of self and our ability to function in civilian life.
Signs or Symptoms
Short-term responses are typically shock and denial, while long-term responses can include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea. These are normal responses to abnormal experiences.
This is a list of general signs of unresolved trauma. Regardless of the cause of the trauma, the symptoms are usually similar in nature. This is not an exhaustive list, and each person who experienced a traumatic event or suffers from PTSD has their own unique story and symptoms.
- A deep sadness that doesn’t go away
- Easily startled and always nervous, jumpy, or on guard
- Recurring sudden irritability
- Persistent feelings of anger, aggression, or violence
- Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
- Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or nightmares/night terrors
- Trouble feeling positive emotions or unable to enjoy things
- Recurring anxiety or panic attacks
- Difficulty focusing or making decisions
- Often feeling confused or overwhelmed, even in everyday situations
- An inability to feel anything; a constant state of being emotionally numb
- Avoidance of trauma-related events, places, or people
- Addictions and/or disordered eating
- Social withdrawal and self-isolation
Self-Care Toolbox
With trauma, self-care is largely palliative, which means it helps relieve symptoms but doesn’t effectively deal with the root cause of the condition. Still, relief is important and self-care can be as much as a daily reminder to be kind to yourself. You are not to blame for what happened to you.
Practice Kindness: Be good to yourself—staying physically healthy and strong will feel good and also boost mental health. Regular exercise and a nutritious diet will help with staying physically fit. Positive affirmations and self-talk will help the mind.
Be Mindful: It’s helpful to prepare for stressful situations connected to previous trauma. Anniversaries of traumatic events can increase distress and mental health symptoms, and fireworks (such as on New Year’s Eve and the Fourth of July) can be extremely triggering for members of the military who served in combat.
Art Therapy: Research shows that focusing the mind and the body on creative endeavors like writing, painting, drawing, music, and arts and crafts can help the mind reconnect to our former self and address aspects of dissociation that resulted from the traumatic event.
When to see a doctor: Trauma issues are usually too hard to manage by ourselves, making the world feel lonely, scary, and unbearable. If you have any of the signs or symptoms listed—or you find that your feelings, thoughts, or behaviors are distressing, affect your health, or make it difficult to function in your daily life, please seek professional help. With suicidal thoughts, immediately call 911, 988, or TimelyCare at 833-484-6359.
When you are ready to talk, we’re ready to listen.
Visit the SF Counseling Center today.
Ways to Contact
Santa Fe College Counseling Center
Don’t wait until you are overwhelmed by trauma.
If you have any of these signs or symptoms, reach out to the Counseling Center.
Call Us
352-395-5508
Stop By
3000 NW 83 St
Building R, Room 227
Gainesville, FL 32606
Common questions college students ask about trauma
A: If not properly processed, trauma can “hang around” in the body and manifest in symptoms that seem entirely unconnected to the original trauma. These symptoms can certainly affect your life now, including your academic progress. Counseling now can help with past trauma, and there are methods that won’t require you to divulge details or rehash unpleasant memories. Counseling can also provide healthy coping mechanisms so you have alternative behaviors or thoughts to choose from when facing current problems.
A: Night terrors are, like the phrase says, terrifying. And, yes, they leave a person drained and distraught—they can also be dangerous during the night if one side effect involves sleepwalking. It will be very difficult to attend class or perform well on an exam in that condition. Seek help now. Visit the SF Counseling Center and the Accessibility Office to see what treatments, options, and accommodations are available.
A: The short answer is no. An effective counselor will never force you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable, and they will ask permission before taking any action or embarking down a path of conversation that could be triggering. If you suffer from PTSD symptoms, please visit the campus Counseling Center. You will find comfort, support, safety, and avenues to treatment and recovery.
A: Yes. You can talk around the issue, or you can clearly talk about the assault without being required to divulge any information you don’t wish to discuss. However, if a counselor learns that the assault is ongoing domestic violence or involves the abuse of a minor, they are required by law to report the case to the state of Florida for the protection and prosecution of those involved.