Large international epidemiological studies* show that adults are exposed, on average, to several potentially traumatic events over the course of their lifetime. Depending on the populations studied and the way the data are analyzed, this number generally ranges between three and five events. However, only a minority will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
From a Somatic Experiencing® perspective, trauma is not defined by the event itself, but by how the nervous system responds to it. Trauma occurs when survival responses are overwhelmed or remain incomplete, and the body stays stuck in patterns of activation or shutdown instead of returning to regulation.
Throughout life, we are regularly exposed to stress. What makes the difference is not only the intensity of the event, but the nervous system’s capacity to discharge activation, complete defensive responses, and restore a felt sense of safety.
Article 6 Nov 2017, revised.
K. Reisinger. All rights reserved
Réference:*Kessler RC, Aguilar-Gaxiola S, Alonso J, et al. Trauma and PTSD in the WHO World Mental Health Surveys. Eur J Psychotraumatol. 2017;8(sup5):1353383. Published 2017 Oct 27. doi:10.1080/20008198.2017.1353383
Kessler RC, Berglund P, Demler O, Jin R, Merikangas KR, Walters EE. Lifetime Prevalence and Age-of-Onset Distributions of DSM-IV Disorders in the National Comorbidity Survey Replication. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2005;62(6):593–602. doi:10.1001/archpsyc.62.6.593