Mental distress and trauma overlap, but trauma has a distinct feature:
The person felt their or someone else’s life is in danger.
For example, losing a job may be distressing, but combat, assault, or a life-threatening accident are more likely to be traumatic. This is not a strict rule. What is mildly distressing for one person may be deeply traumatic for another.
Clinicians look for patterns that show an experience went beyond ordinary distress, such as:
- Avoidance – Staying away from triggering sensations that reminds them of the event. These could be sights, sounds, smells, strong emotions, and more.
- Hypervigilance – Being constantly on alert for danger.
- Flashbacks – Reliving the event through nightmares, intrusive memories, panic attacks, or sudden intense emotions.
If these symptoms are severe or persistent, a clinician may diagnose Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
People who have experienced trauma often describe feeling stuck in the moment. Their nervous system is always wired to be on the lookout for any sign of danger. This can make focusing or getting anything done very difficult.
When Trauma Becomes Complex
Complex trauma occurs when a person experiences multiple traumatic events over time. Examples include:
- Veterans who experienced combat
- People who grew up in poverty with chronic instability
- People who endured long-term child abuse or intimate partner violence
Complex trauma often comes with co-occurring mental health conditions like Depression and anxiety disorders. Practitioners benefit from exercising patience and compassion when working with people who have had traumatic experiences. The key is that the emotional intensity makes moving forward difficult.
People with disabilities can experience types of complex trauma related to loss, grief, accidents, medical trauma, and the ongoing stress of living with a disability.
Reflection Exercise
Take a moment to pause and check in with yourself. You can move through these questions slowly, or skip this section if now isn’t the right time.
- What are you noticing in your body right now? You might pay attention to your breathing, areas of tension, or places that feel more at ease.
- What emotions seem present? What thoughts, if any, are coming up as you read this material?
Noticing and naming internal experiences can create a sense of grounding, especially when engaging with heavier topics.
Remember to notice what you’re thinking and learning. Take a break if you need one.
When you’re ready, continue to Causes of Mental Distress for People with Disabilities
Disability and Mental Distress 