[ickydog2006]

I'm just curious because I'm really struggling with stressful memories from my past. What defines them as being traumatic or not?

There is some very good info (at least I think it is) at the enclosed link if you're up to reading about it.

Some instances of one-time trauma.

• natural disasters (earthquake, flood, hurricane, etc)
• rape
• assault
• muggings
• robbery
• accidents (automobile, airplane, train, etc)
• fires

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

http://www.palace.net/~llama/psych/trauma.html

[Sad In TX]

I would say trauma is anything that has happened to you - either physically or mentally - that you cannot get out of your head.

Like for example, the loss of a friend or loved one, emotional abuse suffered from a parent or some sort of person in authority, or any kind of sexual abuse or assault.

[Elysium]

I agree with Orange and Sad.

I also think it has a bit to do with who you are as a person. Everyone's perception of trauma is different to a certain degree.

I don't know if that came out right though...?

I guess what I'm saying is...I am a highly sensitive person. You put me in any type of abusive environment and I'm gonna take it hard, and spin out of control. Where as, you put someone who is not such a sensitive person into that same situation and they will not find it as traumatizing. Not because the abusive situation lost it's badness or was not traumatizing, but because the persons internal workup is built differently and they may perceive the situation as not as threatening.

I hope that makes sense....

[Hunny]

Ickydog2006:

"The description for PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and the ACOA are identical."

Thought, I'd just insert this because I just learned it myself and maybe it is your experience (or not). It makes sense.

Hunny