What is considering a traumatic experience?

pricehaylein · Jul 05, 2019 at 06:19 PM

I was with my therapist today and he asked if Ive ever had any traumatic experiences. I said no, but later on my mom and I were talking and I think I had two experiences that could ne traumatic. Like the time I was playing in the yard and fell on purpose for attention and the diseases that would later sprout from that fall would eventually lead to my whole life changing because of it. And then the time I was drowning in a lake and the friends that were around didnt help me out. I couldnt swim and I was drowning.
Could these be traumatic experiences???

amandalouise · Jul 05, 2019 at 07:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pricehaylein

I was with my therapist today and he asked if Ive ever had any traumatic experiences. I said no, but later on my mom and I were talking and I think I had two experiences that could ne traumatic. Like the time I was playing in the yard and fell on purpose for attention and the diseases that would later sprout from that fall would eventually lead to my whole life changing because of it. And then the time I was drowning in a lake and the friends that were around didnt help me out. I couldnt swim and I was drowning.
Could these be traumatic experiences???

PTSD traumatic experiences are things in your life you felt were horrible, upsetting caused you nightmares flashbacks, panic attacks ....when they happened and after. or witnessing a traumatic event happening or having someone close to you (close friend or family member) who underwent trauma.

example

being abused is a traumatic experience for me
witnessing a crime was traumatic to me.
my child undergoing surgery was traumatic to me.
having my home demolished thanks to a hurricane was traumatic to me.

PTSD has specific criteria and whats considered trauma or not. my suggestion is contact your treatment providers they will be able to tell you what things in your life are considered traumtic by PTSD standards and what is considered normal traumatic events in your life. we cant tell you whether this is called trauma in your life.

Amyjay · Jul 05, 2019 at 08:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pricehaylein

I was with my therapist today and he asked if Ive ever had any traumatic experiences. I said no, but later on my mom and I were talking and I think I had two experiences that could ne traumatic. Like the time I was playing in the yard and fell on purpose for attention and the diseases that would later sprout from that fall would eventually lead to my whole life changing because of it. And then the time I was drowning in a lake and the friends that were around didnt help me out. I couldnt swim and I was drowning.
Could these be traumatic experiences???

Those two things both sound very traumatic. A traumatic experience can change the way you think about or experience life. It doesn't have to lead to a diagnosis of PTSD to be considered traumatic, and I see you weren't asking about PTSD or a diagnosis of that anyway - you are just asking if those things you described could be called "traumatic experiences".
Yes, they could.

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What is considering a traumatic experience?

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