Understanding Trauma and Its Impact

Trauma is an emotional response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms your ability to cope. Traumatic experiences can include accidents, natural disasters, violence, abuse, or the sudden loss of a loved one. The effects of trauma can be far-reaching, impacting your emotions, thoughts, relationships, and physical health. Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is one well-known response to trauma, but not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD. Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares, avoidance of reminders, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness. Healing from trauma is possible with appropriate support. Evidence-based treatments include Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR), trauma-focused cognitive behavioral therapy, and somatic experiencing. Recovery happens at your own pace.