What is Trauma?

Trauma – Understanding Our Emotional Wounds

Have you ever had an experience that shook you to your core? Something that left you feeling scared, sad, or confused long after it happened? If so, you may have experienced trauma, and you’re not alone.

In fact, studies have suggested that 60-70% of adults in the U.S. experience at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. And that number reaches 70% globally per the World Health Organization. Therefore, understanding trauma is imperative to our individual and collective health and well-being.

What Exactly is Trauma?

Trauma is like an emotional injury. Just as our bodies can be injured, our minds and emotions can be wounded too. Trauma happens when we go through something so upsetting or frightening that it overwhelms our ability to cope.

When a person experiences trauma, their nervous system kicks into high gear, triggering our body to respond. This heightened state can persist long after the traumatic event, causing the brain to become overly sensitive to potential threats. As a result, individuals may feel constantly on edge or easily startled, as if their body’s alarm system is set to maximum sensitivity, even in safe situations.

Think of it like this: our minds usually process experiences and store them as memories. But traumatic events are so intense that our brains struggle to process them normally. It’s like trying to save a huge file on a computer that doesn’t have enough space – things get jumbled and don’t work quite right.

What Can Cause Trauma?

Many different experiences can lead to trauma. Some examples include:

• Being in or witnessing a serious accident
• Experiencing violence or abuse (even long-term, non-physical abuse)
• Living through a natural disaster
• Losing a loved one suddenly
• Being seriously ill or injured
• Experiencing war or conflict

It’s important to know that what’s traumatic for one person might not be for another. We’re all different, and that’s okay. In fact, trauma isn’t defined by what happened, but by how what happened affected you.

How Does Trauma Feel?

Trauma can affect people in many ways:

1. Emotions: You might feel scared, angry, sad, or numb. Sometimes these feelings come and go quickly, like waves.
2. Thoughts: You might have trouble concentrating or find yourself thinking about the traumatic event a lot.
3. Body: You might feel tense, have trouble sleeping, or get headaches or stomachaches.
4. Behavior: You might avoid things that remind you of the trauma or feel jumpy and on edge all the time.

Why Does Trauma Affect Us So Much?

Our brains are amazing, but they can be tricky too. When we experience trauma, our brain goes into “survival mode.” It’s trying to protect us, but sometimes it stays in this mode even when the danger has passed.

Imagine if your house’s security alarm kept going off even when there was no burglar. That’s kind of what trauma does to our brain’s alarm system.

Can Trauma Change Over Time?

Yes, it can. For some people, the effects of trauma fade with time. For others, the impact of trauma can last longer or even grow stronger. This is called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

PTSD is like trauma’s bigger, meaner cousin. It can make you relive the traumatic event, avoid anything that reminds you of it, and feel on edge all the time.

There is even a new concept that is gaining traction – Complex PTSD (or C-PTSD), which arises as a result of prolonged or repeated trauma exposure and resulting in a wider range of symptoms than PTSD.

Is It Possible to Heal from Trauma?

Absolutely! Healing from trauma is possible, but it often takes time, intentionality, and support. Here are some ways people can start to heal:

1. Talk about it: Sharing your experiences with trusted friends, family, or a therapist can help a lot.
2. Learn coping skills: Things like deep breathing, meditation, or exercise can help manage difficult emotions.
3. Seek professional help: Therapists have special tools to help people work through trauma.
4. Join a support group: Meeting others who’ve had similar experiences can make you feel less alone.
5. Be patient with yourself: Healing isn’t always a straight line. It’s okay to have good days and bad days.

Remember: You Are Not Your Trauma

It’s important to know that experiencing trauma doesn’t define who you are, nor does it have to limit the joy, peace, and purpose you can access through engaging healing work.

Healing from trauma can be a journey, but it’s a journey that can lead to growth, strength, and deeper understanding. Many people find that working through their trauma helps them become more compassionate, resilient, and appreciative of life.

If you’re dealing with trauma, remember: you’re not alone, it’s not your fault, and there is hope. With time, support, and the right help, you can heal and thrive.

Learn More

If you’re interested in learning more about trauma and trauma treatment, we invite you to visit our Trauma Therapy Page.

If you like to reach out to us, you can contact us here.