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andyiguess

Updated 1y ago

What counts as legitimate trauma?

So, I put in this app thar I have PTSD because my current therapist has told me that I definitely have it, but I honestly am not sure? I feel like the trauma I experienced is so minor and dumb that it really shouldn't even count. While my "trauma" does effect my life and how I interact with others, I feel like I don't deserve to say what I've gone through is trauma. What do you think counts as legitimate trauma?

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Edelucia

2y

What counts as trauma is different for everyone because ptsd isn’t really about the event itself. It’s about how our brains process that event and everything is relative. It doesn’t matter how seemingly “minor” the incident that caused the trauma is. Your trauma affects your life and your therapist believes you have ptsd. I would trust your therapist.
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BitaS2003

2y

agreed
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BitaS2003

2y

I thought the same at one time. But this was because I wasn’t educated about the disease. So I did research and discovered that I did have this disease. Educate yourself and trust your therapist. It’s humbling to realize and accept that you have a disease. But you can’t change what you don’t acknowledge. This is the first step. Good luck.
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Or

2y

It doesn’t matter what you went through, that’s not considered in the diagnosis. It’s all about the symptoms, it does not matter why happened, what matters is how it affects you and your life. Also, something I do with myself to catch myself is, if someone went through whatever you did and is having PTSD symptoms, would you tell them their trauma wasn’t bad enough? I hope not lol. Also, SO MANY people say this about their trauma!
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BitaS2003

2y

exactly!
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freyaslady

2y

Trauma is trauma. If it was traumatic to YOU then it counts. I've gone through feeling like this myself, that what I've been through wasn't that bad so I should just deal with it. From what I've seen and heard most people with PTSD have that feeling like their trauma is somehow less valid. Fact is, anything can trigger PTSD. While it is most commonly associated with service members and veterans, military service isn't even the most common cause. It doesn't matter what your experience was, how it effected you is definitely valid
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Wolffgirl

2y

Trauma is very different for everyone. It can be small and minor to you or others, but if it has a major impact in how you go about life then it's classified as trauma. I am the same, I don't think I should be clarified to have PTSD since everyone goes through what I did at some point in their life. But if your therapist believes that whatever you went through was enough for YOUR mind to handle and be considered PTSD then for you that experience was traumatic even if you don't feel it was.
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Mop

2y

If its affecting your life in a negative way it's trauma. No comparison, no minor or dumb. Sometimes people tell me they shouldn't struggle so much with their trauma because mine is so much worse and it makes me want to grab them by the shoulders and shake them until their head is screwed on right. Not really but, you get it.
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Lucas.exe

2y

I 100% feel the same way about my trauma. But no matter how minor it is, if it is negatively affecting your daily life then it should be taken seriously and you should get the help you need and deserve. Trauma can be as small as being insulted once or as big as a war scene. Either way its valid.

The content in this post is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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