Small t Traumas and Large T Traumas

Small t Traumas and Large T Traumas

Some categorise traumas into Small t and Large T traumas. These categories help draw attention to the fact that smaller but repeated traumas are just as, if not more, deeply impactful than the obvious and concrete larger, or single incident traumas. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in recognising that trauma is defined not just by the event itself, but by its emotional and psychological impact on the individual.

Recognizing All Forms of Trauma

There are traumatic events that most people agree can lead to a traumatic experience, such as being involved in a serious car accident, getting attacked or being bullied. They are obviously traumatic because they can be perceived as severe or scary. These are Large T traumas, and often meet the qualifying criteria for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. There are many experiences though, that may not be perceived as that harsh, so their traumatic nature might not be as obvious to others. These are small t traumas. For example, childhood neglect, persistent transphobia and chronic racism, to name only a few. These traumas can still deeply affect us though, sometimes more so profoundly than the obviously traumatic ones. These events often don’t get the same recognition from the public or media, leaving some to question the validity of their trauma. They might wonder if they even have the right to feel traumatised, despite the intensity of their internal reactions. The next section explains how we categorise traumas, and the different reasons that they are traumatic.

Trauma isn’t about what happens; it’s about how we feel inside and how we react to it.

Large ‘T’ Traumas

These are the ones that are more obviously traumatic as they are typically more severe or life threatening, similar to the shock traumas above, although this category also includes some from the relational traumas list. They also are characterised by having a huge impact on a person’ sense of safety. Here are some examples.

• Physical or sexual abuse
• Family violence
• Sexual assault
• Serious accidents
• Natural disasters
• Combat exposure

Small ‘t’ Traumas

These ones, on the other hand, are not necessarily as severe or life threatening, but they can still cause significant psychological stress as they are usually ongoing, and have a cumulative effect on a person’s mental health and often occur within relationships. Here are some examples.

• Bullying
• Emotional neglect
• Relationship conflicts
• Anxious, avoidant or disorganised attachment
• Sexual harassment
• Discrimination
• Homophobia
• Transphobia
• Constant criticism

Understanding the differences between trauma types is crucial to having a comprehensive view of trauma and its impact on people. While Large ‘T’ traumas, such as physical abuse or natural disasters, are easily recognised and validated due to their obvious severity, Small ‘t’ traumas like bullying or emotional neglect often go unnoticed and unacknowledged. However, these less visible forms of trauma can have equally profound, if not more enduring, effects on mental health.

If you’re interested in seeing me for trauma therapy, read this article to see how I work with trauma.