There are several types of trauma, including: Acute trauma: This results from a single stressful or dangerous event. Chronic trauma: This results from repeated and prolonged exposure to highly stressful events. Examples include cases of child abuse, bullying, or domestic violence. Complex trauma: This results from exposure to multiple traumatic events. Secondary trauma, or vicarious trauma, is another form of trauma. With this form of trauma, a person develops trauma symptoms from close contact with someone who has experienced a traumatic event.