What’s the Difference Between Trauma and PTSD?
Understanding how trauma affects us — and when it becomes Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma and PTSD Are Related — But Not the Same
You’ve probably heard people use the terms trauma and PTSD interchangeably. And while they’re closely connected, they don’t mean the same thing.
You can experience trauma without having PTSD. And you can struggle with deep emotional pain from past events even if you’ve never had a formal diagnosis.
What Is Trauma?
When it comes to trauma, I take a lens adapted from trauma experts such as Gabor Maté, Bessel ven der Kolk, Peter Levine, and Linda Thai.
“Trauma is what happened to you that shouldn’t have happened.
It’s also what should have happened that didn’t.”
This includes both the presence of harmful experiences (like abuse, violence, or loss) and the absence of necessary care (like protection, affection, or emotional attunement).
You might have experienced trauma if:
Something happened that overwhelmed your sense of safety or control
You were left alone with fear, shame, or confusion
You didn’t receive the support, care, or protection you needed to feel safe, loved, or understood
What makes something traumatic isn’t just the event itself — it’s how your nervous system experienced it, especially if it was too much, too fast, or too soon for you to process or escape.
Types of Trauma
Trauma can take many forms. It may come from a single event or from repeated, cumulative experiences over time.
Acute Trauma
Results from a one-time event, such as:
A car accident
A physical assault
A natural disaster or fire
Chronic Trauma
Involves ongoing, repeated exposure to distress, such as:
Domestic violence
Bullying or workplace harassment
Living in unsafe environments
Complex Trauma
Often rooted in childhood, complex trauma involves repeated, relational harm, especially when caregivers or trusted people were also sources of fear or pain. This includes:
Emotional neglect or parentification
Inconsistent caregiving or attachment ruptures
Growing up with addiction, violence, or mental illness in the home
Relational or Attachment Trauma
Occurs when early relationships rupture your sense of self-worth, belonging, and trust. It may not look “traumatic” from the outside, but the internal effects can be long-lasting.
Identity-Based & Systemic Trauma
People who are BIPOC, LGBTQ+, disabled, neurodivergent, or from marginalized communities may carry trauma from:
Racism, homophobia, transphobia, or ableism
Immigration, cultural erasure, or loss of language
Intergenerational or ancestral trauma
Surviving colonization or systemic oppression
These forms of trauma are often invisible or dismissed, but they are real, and they matter.
What Is PTSD?
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health diagnosis that can develop after exposure to a traumatic event. It’s formally defined in the DSM-5 (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
To be diagnosed with PTSD, someone typically experiences:
Intrusive symptoms: flashbacks, nightmares, or unwanted distressing thoughts
Avoidance: avoiding reminders of the trauma, including places, people, or feelings
Negative mood/cognition changes: persistent shame, numbness, or mistrust
Hyperarousal: irritability, sleep problems, being easily startled or constantly on alert
These symptoms must last more than a month and significantly affect daily life.
PTSD is often linked to:
Accidents or assaults
Natural disasters
Medical trauma
War, violence, or a single overwhelming event
What Is Complex PTSD (C-PTSD)?
Complex PTSD (C-PTSD) isn’t officially recognized as a separate diagnosis in the DSM-5, but it is included in the ICD-11 (used globally by the World Health Organization).
C-PTSD includes all the core symptoms of PTSD plus:
Affective dysregulation: difficulty managing emotions (e.g., rage, shutdown, anxiety)
Negative self-concept: deep shame, self-blame, or feeling “broken”
Relational disturbances: chronic mistrust, fear of closeness, or isolation
C-PTSD often stems from:
Childhood abuse or neglect
Ongoing emotional abuse or coercive relationships
Growing up in survival mode
Long-term systemic or identity-based oppression
I Have Trauma, But Not PTSD.
Many people carry trauma symptoms without meeting the full criteria for PTSD. You might still struggle with:
Chronic self-doubt, people-pleasing, or fear of abandonment
A strong inner critic and deep shame
Feeling emotionally numb, frozen, or shut down
Over-functioning to avoid vulnerability
Disconnection from your body or constant tension
These patterns are valid trauma responses, even without a formal diagnosis.
How Trauma Therapy Helps, With or Without a Diagnosis
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with PTSD or simply know something painful still lives inside you, trauma therapy can help.
As a trauma therapist, I work with clients to:
Understand how trauma lives in the nervous system and body
Develop tools for grounding, boundaries, and emotional regulation
Explore attachment wounds, identity-based trauma, and relational patterns
Process memories gently using an integrative modalities (e.g., EMDR, somatic therapy, parts work (IFS), and mindfulness)
We work at your pace, with your body, and on your terms.
Final Thoughts: You Don’t Need a Label to Begin Healing
If you’ve ever thought:
“It wasn’t that bad — others had it worse.”
“Nothing happened, but I still feel disconnected, anxious, or exhausted.”
“I should be over it by now.”
These are common signs of unprocessed trauma. You don’t need a specific diagnosis to begin healing. You just need support, safety, and space to reconnect with yourself.
Looking for Trauma-Informed Therapy in Canada?
I offer online counselling for adults navigating complex trauma, relationship anxiety, and identity-based wounds. I hold space for healing without judgment or pressure.
Book a free consultation to start your healing journey.
