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Can a person really not be affected by a serious traumatic event that would 'normally' cause trauma?

11 Answers
Last Updated: 11/14/2016 at 8:08pm
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United States
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Andrea Tuck, LCPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

I tackle and discuss a multitude of social and emotional health issues. I have a belief that through empowerment and non-judgmental support clients' can thrive.

Top Rated Answers
Anonymous
June 4th, 2015 4:46am
Most people will experience at least 1 traumatic event in their lifetime, but each individual’s response and perception will be different. There is a wide range of the types of trauma a person can experience and each experience is different and unique to each person; including how they process the trauma and how it affects them. Some people can recover quickly, but not everyone. Resiliency is a key factor in how traumatic experiences affect each individual. Resilience is an individual’s ability to endure, cope, recover and adapt during and after experiencing significant stress or exposure to traumatic experiences. It is the ability to regain homeostasis when faced with adversity. The capability to endure and adapt to change that is challenging, difficult or frequent. A person who is not as affected by a serious trauma as others may normally be...odds are they have high resiliency.
HealingLotus
- Expert in Domestic Violence
May 3rd, 2015 5:41am
This question seems fishy.. A large amount of trauma can hit someone and they can have a shocked, numbing affect where they don't appear to have been affected, but it's just the body trying to protect them due to the sheer magnitude. Either way, it's still continually affecting them internally and will come out or explode one day.
RebeccaH
January 17th, 2015 2:06am
Everyone responds to traumatic events differently. There is no "right" or "normal" way to respond. Whatever happens for you is the right way for you to respond.
Anonymous
January 26th, 2015 9:58pm
We are all different, and trauma affects everyone differently. For some people, it would be difficult to go through a traumatic event. For others, it's easier and doesn't affect them as much. It just depends on the person.
LondonGirl22
May 15th, 2015 12:50pm
I think it's more of a thing of blocking out that it happened till you're mentally prepared to deal with it. Just remember that there's help available to you if you ever want to talk about it.
Anonymous
July 11th, 2016 12:38pm
perhaps. it depends on the individuals subjective experiences of trauma and the emotional capacity they have to deal with the immediate aftermath.
Luminations
March 11th, 2015 5:08pm
Yes, each person is different. Likewise, something that seems innocent to most people, can cause trauma to one person. In fact each person experiences life in a different way. Every person has some trauma, and brokenness in their lives- something that leaves us wanting. The real question is, how do we heal from our traumas? Ignore, overwhelm, hurt, or accept? From my experience, healing comes through acceptance, and setting the broken down.
hebrokemyheart
June 29th, 2015 8:09am
I guess it all depends on how much the event made an impact on you. It's totally possible, if it didn't effect the person that much. No matter how traumatic the event was.
PoliteOcean
August 31st, 2015 7:52pm
There are people who just arent affected as others might be or their emotions may not be as influenced as easily as others. If you feel a person is not reacting in certain situations the way they should be that is not for anyone else to judge. However, if you feel that it is something that is affecting their lives or the lives of others perhaps talking with them or helping them to seek help through a counselor or therapist might help the situation.
Anonymous
September 26th, 2016 7:55pm
Different people are likely to react to an event differently, but it would be hard to believe they are not affected at all. More like they are playing it down since it didn't cause as much trauma for them as it did others they know.
RobinAureliaMae
November 14th, 2016 8:08pm
Different people react to different things in different ways. Human beings are resilient and diverse. If you've experienced a trauma and haven't had any negative effects, it is important to know there can be traumatic amnesia or a numbing/stress response at first. Seeking therapy right away is vital to long term health and wellbeing.