Understanding Trauma
Trauma is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms your ability to cope. It can happen after experiencing or witnessing events like abuse, neglect, violence, loss, or disasters.
Trauma doesn’t have to stem from a single event—it can be cumulative, chronic, and even hidden beneath the surface. Each person’s response is unique.
Types of Trauma
- Acute Trauma: Resulting from a single incident.
- Chronic Trauma: Repeated and prolonged experiences (e.g. domestic violence, abuse).
- Complex Trauma: Exposure to varied and multiple traumatic events, often of an invasive and interpersonal nature.
- Developmental Trauma: Occurs in childhood and impacts emotional growth and attachment.
How Trauma Affects Us
Trauma can impact the mind, body, and spirit. Common symptoms include:
- Flashbacks or intrusive thoughts
- Emotional numbness or dissociation
- Anxiety, depression, or panic attacks
- Difficulty sleeping or concentrating
- Physical symptoms like headaches, fatigue, or stomach issues
“You are not what happened to you. You are what you choose to become.” – Carl Jung