Trauma is NOT what happens to you (event). It is what happens inside (internalized experience) you because of anything, too much, too soon, too fast, too long, too little or not at all for the ordinary human adaptation of our nervous system to handle.

Big T Trauma refers to the more extreme, often life-threatening experiences that can have a profound and lasting impact on an individual’s mental and emotional well-being. These types of traumas typically include events such as physical or sexual assault, natural disasters, combat, or the sudden loss of a loved one. 

Big T traumas can lead to significant symptoms of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder), including flashbacks, severe anxiety, and feelings of emotional numbness. The intensity of Big T trauma can overwhelm a person’s ability to cope, often leaving deep emotional scars that require dedicated support.

Explicit Memories-Verbal and can tell a story, have images. Implicit Memories-Are neither verbal nor stored as images. Often there the maps of our earliest relationships and show up psychophysiological as sensations, emotions, motor patterns and arousal.

Little t Trauma, on the other hand, involves more subtle but impactful, experiences that may not be life-threatening but can accumulate over time and affect us. These might include ongoing stress, neglect, emotional abuse or feeling invalidated. While these incidents may not seem as severe at first glance, they can create lasting effects.

Over time, Little t traumas can compound and result in mental health struggles that feel just as intense as Big T trauma. Understanding both Big T and Little t trauma is crucial, as both can significantly influence how we experience the world and ourselves, and both require compassion and care to heal.