"I wasn't at war, I didn't get in a serious car crash, and I wasn't sexually assaulted, so I can't possibly have PTSD."
If you read a lot of the literature on Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD), you'll find that most examples of causes relate to events like car crashes, war, childhood abandonment, and sexualized violence.
For many people with PTSD or CPTSD from other causes, this can create a lot of shame, as though their experiences are not "worthy" of giving them trauma.
Let's talk that through and help you understand what ACTUALLY causes trauma, because the event itself isn't actually that important.
If you're unsure about the difference between PTSD vs CPTSD, feel free to check out this blog where we explain it in depth.
Trauma is deeply personal, and so is your nervous system
To understand why different experiences can lead to PTSD or CPTSD, it helps to look at how the nervous system works. Our nervous system is constantly scanning for threats. When it perceives danger, it triggers what’s known as the fight, flight, freeze, or fawn responses—automatic reactions that help us survive. These responses are controlled by the autonomic nervous system, which has two main parts: the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems.
The sympathetic nervous system kicks in when we sense danger, releasing adrenaline and cortisol (stress hormones) to prepare us for action—whether that’s running away, fighting back, or freezing in place. The parasympathetic nervous system, on the other hand, is responsible for calming us down after the danger has passed, allowing us to feel safe and relaxed again.
In an ideal world, our nervous system would move smoothly between these two states. We’d feel the stress, the danger would pass, and we’d return to a state of calm. But when you’re exposed to repeated or chronic stress, especially over long periods, this system can get “stuck.” Your body stays in survival mode, even when the immediate danger is gone.
When you’re exposed to repeated or chronic stress, especially over long periods, this system can get “stuck.” Your body stays in survival mode, even when the immediate danger is gone.
Why "smaller" experiences can lead to PTSD or CPTSD
When we think about trauma, we often think about big, life-threatening events. However, trauma is about how your nervous system responded to what happened, not the event itself. If your brain and body felt overwhelmed, helpless, or unsafe, even repeatedly in smaller situations, they might stay on high alert long after the threat has passed. Over time, these experiences can accumulate, creating the same patterns and symptoms we see in PTSD and CPTSD.
It's almost like each incident is a drop of water in a bucket. Each drop may feel insignificant but over time, the bucket over flows.
For example, living in a home where your emotional needs were ignored, or you were constantly criticized, can keep your nervous system in a constant state of stress. Even though these experiences may not seem “big enough” to cause trauma, they can deeply impact your sense of safety and trust in the world. This is especially true if these experiences happen over and over, without the chance to fully process or recover from them.
CPTSD often develops in people who experienced chronic stress or harm that happened over a long period. Smaller but repeated events wear down your nervous system, making it harder for you to return to a calm state. Your body may start to believe that you’re always under threat, even when the actual danger is no longer present.
Trauma is about how your nervous system responded to what happened, not the event itself. Smaller but repeated events wear down your nervous system, making it harder for you to return to a calm state.
Your trauma is real, no matter its cause
The nervous system doesn’t differentiate between “big” and “small” events when it comes to trauma. What matters is how your body interpreted those experiences and whether it had the chance to recover. Trauma isn’t about meeting a certain threshold of suffering; it’s about how deeply those experiences affected you.
When you’ve lived through ongoing stress, neglect, or emotional harm, it can be hard to acknowledge the impact it had on you. You might think, “It wasn’t that bad” or “Other people have been through worse.” But comparing your trauma to others only deepens the shame you might already feel. The truth is, your trauma is valid because it left an imprint on your nervous system; it's that simple.
The role of genetics in trauma responses
Research has shown that genetics may also play a role in how individuals respond to traumatic events. Some people may be more predisposed to developing PTSD or CPTSD based on their genetic makeup, particularly how their genes influence their nervous system’s ability to regulate stress.
Certain genes, such as those that affect how our bodies process cortisol (the stress hormone), may make some people more sensitive to stress. For instance, variations in the gene FKBP5 have been associated with an increased risk of PTSD. This gene plays a key role in how our body’s stress response system works, and people with certain variations of this gene may have a harder time returning to a calm state after a traumatic event.
Additionally, the study of epigenetics—how environmental factors can change the way genes are expressed—suggests that trauma can sometimes be passed down through generations. This means that if your parents or grandparents experienced trauma, their nervous systems may have adapted in ways that affect how your own nervous system responds to stress. In this way, trauma can leave a biological imprint that influences how you cope with difficult or overwhelming experiences.
These genetic and epigenetic factors don’t mean that you’re “destined” to develop PTSD or CPTSD. Rather, they highlight how complex and individual trauma responses are.
Your nervous system’s reaction to stress is shaped by both your experiences and your biology, which is why some people may develop PTSD from events that others seem to cope with more easily. This doesn’t make your response any less real—it just shows how diverse human resilience and vulnerability can be.
Some people may be more predisposed to developing PTSD or CPTSD based on their genetic makeup, particularly how their genes influence their nervous system’s ability to regulate stress.
Healing is possible, no matter the source of your trauma
The good news is that your nervous system can learn to heal. With the right support, whether through therapy, body-based practices, or even small daily steps to calm your system, it’s possible to retrain your body to feel safe again. You don’t have to meet a certain “trauma threshold” to deserve help. Healing is for everyone.
If you’ve ever wondered whether your trauma “counts” because it didn’t fit into the stereotypical causes of PTSD, know this: it absolutely counts. Your body’s responses, your experiences, and your pain are real. And so is your right to heal.
If you're looking for a PTSD or trauma counsellor in Kamloops, BC or online, our team is here to offer you therapy to process the past and move forward. Reach out today to be matched with a therapist.
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