What are traumatic experiences?

Trauma, PTSD and C-PTSD can be caused by one or many traumatic experiences. Traumatic experiences can be single events or a series of repeat or prolonged events that happen over a period of time. Traumatic experiences can also be a series of multiple events, witnessing harm to somebody else or exposure to traumatic events through work, living in a traumatic atmosphere or being affected by trauma in a family or community. There are many examples of traumatic events, which include (but are not limited to) the following:


  • Abuse, including domestic or emotional

  • Adverse childhood experiences

  • Bereavement by suicide

  • Childbirth experiences or losing a baby

  • Exposure to traumatic events through work

  • Physical or sexual assault

  • Road traffic accident

  • Serious health problems

  • Sudden death of a loved one

  • War, conflict or terrorism