What Is Trauma?

Single and repeated incidents of trauma can result in lasting psychological impact for children and adults. We will explore what trauma is, how it can show up, and how to promote healing and growth.

Trauma Defined

Trauma can be defined as a natural response to a terrible experience or series of events that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope. During a traumatic event, it is not unusual for your body to think that your survival is threatened in some kind of way. Following the traumatic experience, however, it can get “stuck” in survival mode, as if the threat is or could still be present.

The following are examples of experiences that might be traumatic:

• Accidents

• Childhood abuse

• Sexual assault

• Natural and human-caused disasters

• Violent personal assaults

• Domestic violence

• Racism, discrimination, and oppression

• Sudden, unexplained separation from a loved one

Individuals experiencing traumatic events may experience post-traumatic symptoms for a limited period of time and others may go on to develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. Complex PTSD may develop in response to an accumulation of traumatic experiences, such as long-term childhood neglect, prolonged physical or emotional abuse, domestic abuse, and human trafficking.

How Common Is Trauma and How Can It Show Up?

According to the National Institute of Mental Health, approximately 50% of adults in the United States will experience at least one traumatic event in their lives and 5% to 10% of the general population are affected by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

Longer-term reactions to trauma can include:

• Being easily startled and always feeling worried about something bad happening to you

• Feelings of anxiety in response to activated memories of the traumatic experience(s)

• Feeling tense, absent, or numb, and finding it challenging to access emotions

• Feelings of guilt, shame, or irritability

• Memory impairment

• Nightmares

• Unwanted thoughts, memories, flashbacks, images

• Intense distress in response to trauma reminders

• Physical symptoms such as headaches, nausea, and gastrointestinal problems

How You Can Begin Healing

Trauma therapy includes building a therapeutic relationship with you that has a foundation of mutual trust and safety, skill-building to foster coping, stabilization, and an increased sense of safety, and reprocessing traumatic information to promote resolution. Our work together will be at a pace that feels safe and tolerable to you.

The last phase in therapy typically involves building upon newly emerging healthy beliefs of the self, which, depending on your experiences, may include devoting time and energy to reconnecting with people, engaging in meaningful activities, and other aspects of life.

Take the Next Step

EMDR Therapy, Somatic Experiencing, Sand Therapy, and Internal Family Systems Therapy are currently offered at Meadow Grove Counseling, LLC to support individuals impacted by past traumatic experiences. Schedule a complimentary phone consultation to learn more about how trauma therapy may help you and to explore if we are a good fit.