Trauma is when we experience very stressful, frightening or distressing events that are difficult to cope with or out of our control. It could be one incident, or an ongoing event that happens over a long period of time.
Most of us will experience an event in our lives that could be considered traumatic. But we won't all be affected the same way. Trauma can happen at any age. And it can affect us at any time, including a long time after the event has happened.
Here's a more detailed explanation:
Emotional Response:Trauma triggers an emotional response to a distressing event, which can include feelings of fear, helplessness, and shock.
Distressing Events:These events can include accidents, natural disasters, violence, abuse, neglect, or even the death of a loved one.
Long-lasting Effects:Trauma can have long-lasting effects on a person's sense of safety, self, and ability to regulate emotions.
Types of Trauma:Trauma can be acute (from a single event) or chronic (from ongoing exposure to stressful events), and can also be complex (from multiple traumatic events).
Symptoms:Common symptoms of trauma can include flashbacks, nightmares, anxiety, and difficulty concentrating.
Individual Differences:People's reactions to traumatic events can vary greatly, and not everyone will develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after a traumatic event, says the American Psychological Association (APA).
