significant trauma

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "significant trauma" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used in contexts discussing mental health, psychology, or experiences that have a profound impact on an individual. Example: "The patient reported experiencing significant trauma during their childhood, which has affected their adult relationships."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Academia

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Berry Street caters for children who have suffered significant trauma and no longer fit the mainstream education model.

The Guardian

But all of them, whether they arrived alone or were pulled from family members, carry "significant" trauma, Brown said.

The Washington Post

But when it comes to climate change, we fail to consider a black swan event that will create significant trauma, as well as transformational opportunities.

The Guardian

"I acknowledge that these relationships were a violation of the women's human rights, an abuse of police power and caused significant trauma.

The Guardian

The strength of the femur means it tends to fracture only after significant trauma – a road accident, or a fall from a height.

The Guardian

The prosecutor said the medical examiner's staff found "significant trauma" to the priest's body, injuries that initial responders had not seen.

The New York Times

The volunteers help feed, exercise, entertain and comfort the creatures who, after significant trauma or hardship, have found themselves in the protective embrace of the organization.

The Washington Post

When a person who has experienced significant trauma starts to exhibit "problematic behaviour", society's sympathy soon runs out.

Independent

"Significant trauma, significant stress, may have some adverse effect on these circuits that makes it more difficult for children to learn," Shonkoff said.

Harvard University

It's deep within your body so it would have to be a pretty significant trauma in order to hurt your aorta.

Yale University

Those with a high vulnerability can have it triggered by a fairly minor event; those with a low degree of vulnerability will be triggered only by more significant trauma.

The New York Times - Magazine

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When writing about "significant trauma", be specific about the type of event and its impact on the individual. Avoid generalizations and focus on the particular details of the situation to convey the full scope of the experience.

Common error

Avoid minimizing the long-term consequences of "significant trauma" by attributing it solely to immediate reactions. Acknowledge the potential for lasting psychological and emotional effects, and don't imply that individuals can simply "get over it".

Linguistic Context

The phrase "significant trauma" functions as a noun phrase where the adjective "significant" modifies the noun "trauma", indicating a noteworthy or substantial degree of traumatic experience. This is supported by Ludwig AI.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

38%

Science

31%

Academia

12%

Less common in

Formal & Business

6%

Encyclopedias

4%

Wiki

3%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "significant trauma" is a commonly used phrase to describe deeply impactful and distressing experiences that can have lasting psychological and emotional effects. Ludwig AI confirms its grammatical correctness and versatility across various contexts, as seen in the numerous examples from news, scientific, and academic sources. When using the phrase, be mindful of its sensitive nature and focus on providing specific details and avoiding generalizations. Related phrases like "severe traumatic experience" or "profound emotional distress" can offer alternative ways to express similar concepts with slight variations in emphasis.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

severe traumatic experience

This option uses a different adjective to describe the intensity of the traumatic event.

substantial psychological harm

This alternative focuses more on the psychological impact, emphasizing the harm done to the individual's mental state.

major psychological injury

This alternative uses "injury" to represent the impact as something that needs healing.

grave psychological consequences

This highlights the long-term and serious effects on mental health.

profound emotional distress

This phrase highlights the depth and intensity of the emotional suffering experienced.

considerable mental anguish

This variation uses "anguish" to emphasize the mental suffering and pain.

deep-seated emotional wounds

This focuses on the long-lasting effects of the trauma, suggesting that the emotional damage is difficult to heal.

intense adverse experience

This term emphasizes the intensity and negative nature of the trauma.

serious emotional upheaval

This alternative highlights the disruptive and chaotic nature of the emotional impact.

critical incident stress

This phrase is more specific, often used in professional settings to describe the stress response to a particular type of event.

FAQs

How can I use "significant trauma" in a sentence?

You can use "significant trauma" to describe events causing lasting psychological or emotional harm. For example: "The patient's anxiety stemmed from "significant trauma" experienced during childhood".

What are some alternatives to saying "significant trauma"?

Alternatives include "severe traumatic experience", "profound emotional distress", or "major psychological injury", depending on the specific context.

Is it appropriate to use "significant trauma" in formal writing?

Yes, "significant trauma" is appropriate for formal writing, especially in academic, scientific, or professional contexts when discussing mental health, psychology, or related fields. However, consider the specific tone and audience.

What is the difference between "significant trauma" and "trauma"?

"Significant trauma" implies a greater degree of severity and impact compared to simply "trauma". While "trauma" refers to any disturbing experience, "significant trauma" suggests that the event has had lasting, profound effects on an individual's well-being.