Understanding the differences between stress and trauma can be tricky as some symptoms can mimic each other, or they may cause similar biological reactions. However, they are not the same.
It’s normal to experience everyday challenges, and in many cases, it can be healthy to have a normal stress response.
However, too much toxic stress or an event that goes above and beyond what is considered an everyday challenge can turn into trauma.
Is Stress The Same As Trauma? Can It Cause Trauma?
Although stress and trauma are often associated with each other, they are not the same thing. Stress is a normal response to adverse experiences or challenges.
Trauma, however, is a long-term response to a situation that goes above and beyond what is considered everyday stress. If an event is stressful or enough, or long-term toxic stress builds up over time, it can lead to symptoms of trauma.
What Can Cause Stress?
Every day normal challenges we experience in life can cause stress. A source of stress could be an event or large situation happening, or smaller stressors that build up over time. What may be stressful to one person, may not affect another.
However, some common causes of stress include:
- Work-related stress
- Financial difficulties
- Relationship problems
- Dealing with medical problems
- Caring for a sick loved one
- Feeling under pressure (eg. giving a presentation)
- Organizing an event (such as being host for a holiday)
Most Common Types of Stress
There are different kinds of stress we may experience depending on the severity of the situation, the source of stress, and resilient factors.
- Positive stress can feel like excitement, or if we respond well to an everyday challenge.
- Tolerable stress is a response to a negative or challenging situation, but with protective factors to help us get through it.
- Toxic stress is a dangerous stress response that can build up over time and cause chronic inflammation that leads to physical or mental health problems.
Understanding Trauma
During times of stress, the body goes into “flight or fight mode”. This causes cortisol to be pumped through the blood. Cortisol is a stress hormone that increases heart rate, breathing and makes us extra aware of our surroundings.
After a period of high stress, the body will usually go into rest mode and cortisol levels will even out. For individuals with trauma, the body stays in a chronic state of stress, and cortisol levels stay increased. This can lead to inflammation of the brain and body.
What Can Cause Trauma?
The experiences that cause trauma go above and beyond the normal challenges of everyday life. Some situations that can cause trauma include:
- Physical, sexual, or emotional abuse
- Serving in combat or growing up in a war zone
- School shooting
- Car Accident
- Natural disaster
- Medical injury
- Grief or death of a loved one
- Living in a violent community
Stress Vs Trauma
Understand the key differences between an episode of acute stress and experiencing trauma.
| Stress Vs Trauma | Stress | Trauma |
| Onset of Symptoms | Immediate onset | May take days, weeks, or even months to notice signs of trauma |
| Symptoms | Increased heart rate, dizziness, jaw clenching, upset stomach, sweating | Chronic inflammation, gastrointestinal disorders, emotional numbness, |
| Length of Time | Normal feelings of stress can ease within minutes to hours | Unresolved trauma can cause life-long problems without treatment |
| Behaviors | Nail biting, fidgeting, restlessness, irritability or aggression, | Avoidance of people or places, isolation, self-blaming, self-harm, substance abuse |
How To Cope With Stress
Finding positive ways to cope is an important part of preventing everyday stress from turning into toxic stress and impacting your health. Everyone has their ways of dealing with stress, however, some common tools to try when coping with stress can include:
- Journal
- Deep breathing exercises
- Meditation or yoga
- Get enough sleep
- Have a self-care day (get a massage, take a bath, light candles and watch a movie)
- Vent to a loved one
- Listen to music
- Get outside in nature
- Physical activity
Get Treated for Trauma in Utah
It’s important to seek help from a mental health professional if you notice the warning signs of trauma or are struggling to function with daily tasks. Maple Mountain Mental Health & Wellness Center has a compassionate team of trauma-informed therapists who can provide comprehensive support.
We understand the complex nature of trauma and offer trauma-informed treatments such as EMDR, Accelerated Resolution, and Therapy-Assisted Ketamine Therapy based on your individual needs. Reach out to our Admissions team today for more information.
