Big T and little t trauma are terms which are sometimes used to distinguish between different types of traumatic experiences.
BIG ‘T’ TRAUMA
Big T trauma refers to significant, major traumatic events involving actual (or anticipated) serious injury, violence, and threat to life. These events are widely acknowledged as trauma and can include experiences such as: natural disasters, serious accidents, physical and sexual assault, war and terrorism, the witnessing of violence, or the sudden loss of a loved one.
While every person experiences trauma differently, big T traumas often result in intense emotional reactions and have a significant negative impact on a person’s mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
Big T traumas are like a tidal wave that hits, sometimes without warning. They knock us off our feet and, often times, make it difficult to get back up without support.
LITTLE ‘t’ TRAUMA
Little t trauma refers to ongoing or repeated exposure to distressing and disturbing events that have a cumulative negative impact on a person’s mental health and physical well-being. These moments, while not life threatening, are still traumas because they cause ongoing distress. Little t traumas can include experiences such as: emotional abuse, neglect, bullying, discrimination, chronic illness, or financial stress.
While each individual event may not be as severe as a big T trauma, the cumulative effect of these repeated experiences can be significant and may lead to symptoms of anxiety, depression, or other mental and physical health issues.
Little t traumas are like drops of water filling a bathtub. At some point, the stressors become so numerous that they exceed our ability to cope and the tub overflows.
THE TAKEAWAY
It’s important to note that the distinction between big T and little t trauma is not always clear-cut, and the impact of a traumatic experience can vary greatly from person to person.
The main thing to understand is that experiencing an event as traumatic doesn’t make a person weak or defective. Traumas happen “to” a person and, just like any other injury, such as a broken arm, healing from trauma requires time, tenderness, and support.
GET IN TOUCH
I hope this explanation of big T vs little t trauma will be useful to your process and enhances the work you do with clients.
Please do get in touch if you’ve any questions or comments regarding this or any other EMDR-related item. I am always happy to engage.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kara Nossardi, LMFT (she, her) is an EMDRIA Approved Trainer, Approved Consultant, and Certified EMDR Therapist. She is the Director of Training and Founder of EMDR Education and Training Center, an Approved Consultant and Practicum Supervisor at Sonoma Psychotherapy Training Institute, as well as a founding Practicum Facilitator for the EMDR Center of Southern California. Kara has been a licensed Marriage & Family Therapist since 2014 and currently practices in California and Colorado, where she specializes in using attachment-focused EMDR Therapy in the treatment of complex Post Traumatic Stress (CPTSD), depression, and anxiety.