What is the Difference Between Big T and Little t Trauma?

Most of us intuitively understand the concept of Big T traumatic events. These are the extraordinary events such as war, natural disasters, and being a victim of violence that lead to a wide range of symptoms associated with intense anxiety, depression, and shock or numbness. We use the word extraordinary not just because these events are rare, for most of us at least, but because they are beyond our ordinary ability to cope and regulate our emotions.

Big T traumas are the ones that would be disturbing to anyone. People who have experienced these events often suffer from acute stress and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Big T trauma can involve a single event or a chronic, repetitive series of events. Still, they are the kind of events that common sense dictates would be brutal to handle without some sort of emotional distress.

PTSD SYMPTOMS

Witnessing, experiencing, or being confronted with an extraordinary traumatic event that caused intense fear, helplessness, or horror – or would have if these feelings weren’t masked by numbness or shock – during the event and resulted in symptoms of re-experiencing, avoidance, and hyperarousal afterward.

Re-experiencing Symptoms:

• Flashbacks
• Nightmares
• Intrusive thoughts, feelings, or sensations

Avoidance Symptoms:

• Avoiding objects, places, or activities that are reminders of the traumas
• Emotional numbness
• Guilt, depression, anxiety
• Reduced interest in previously enjoyable activities
• Inability to remember parts of the trauma

Hyperarousal and Emotional Reactivity Symptoms:

• Being jumpy or easily startled
• Feeling stressed, tense or on edge
• Sleep problems like trouble falling or staying asleep, or difficulty allowing yourself to sleep due fear of the nightmares.
• Difficulty concentrating
• Moodiness or anger outbursts

Negative Thoughts and Mood Symptoms:

• Questioning your safety, ability, or worth
• Blaming yourself for negative events that happen