The 3 E’s of Trauma

SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) developed a framework for understanding the concept of trauma and a trauma-informed approach. You can read more about this framework here. A foundation of SAMHSA’s framework for understanding trauma is the 3 E’s. The information below has been adapted from the SAMHSA framework.

Events

There are many lived experiences and circumstances that may be traumatic. Revisit the Trauma 101 section about different kinds of lived experiences. Remember, events and circumstances may happen one time or happen repeatedly over time. People may also live with a high level of toxic stress that may be traumatic.

Experience of events

Each person may experience events or circumstances in their lives differently. One person’s lived experience may be more traumatic than for another person. It is not the event itself that is traumatic, but our experience of it. How we each label and assign meaning to our lived experiences and how we are impacted physically and psychologically contribute to how we experience events as traumatic.

How an event is experienced may also be linked to other factors such as a person’s cultural beliefs, availability of social supports, and developmental stage.

Another way we can shift how we think about people’s lived experiences is by recognizing how the beliefs we have can filter our understanding of what the other person is living.

Here are some questions we can ask ourselves with humility:

  • What are my own beliefs and cultural values?

  • How do these play into how I understand what another person is going through?

  • What questions can I ask to better understand what they’re experiencing and not impose my way of viewing things?

We can accept that we may never fully know other’s experiences but by staying curious and respectful we are able to build stronger relationships and be more responsive. Relationship building focused on genuineness and trust is the foundation for practicing with compassion and facilitating healing.

Effects of events

The effects of lived experiences or circumstances that may be traumatic may be immediately apparent or may be invisible, insidious, or have a delayed onset. It may be challenging to see the connection between events and effects. SAHMSA shares effects may include things like:

  • An inability to cope with normal stresses and strains of daily living.

  • Challenges trusting others in relationships.

  • Managing cognitive processes such as memory, attention, thinking.

  • Regulating behavior or expressing emotions.

There may be other effects in a person’s health and well-being. The Adverse Childhood Experiences Study shares how trauma and toxic stress in childhood can lead to long-term consequences. This stress can affect the development of young brains and nervous systems, hinder the ability to bond and connect with others, and dramatically increase the incidence of negative adult outcomes – including behavioral health issues like depression, violence, and suicide, as well as physical health challenges such as diabetes, heart disease, and other serious problems.