Trauma:
An individual experience in which a powerful event overwhelms our ability to regulate our emotions.
Trauma is often unexpected and can manifest itself in different ways. It tends to overwhelm an individual’s ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, diminishes their sense of self and their ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences. These may lead to emotional outbursts, difficulty with relationships, insomnia, nightmares and a desire to shut off from the rest of the world. Some people need to talk about how they are feeling and welcome comfort from those around them. Others withdraw into themselves or keep their feelings hidden to avoid talking about it.
Traumatic experiences can initiate strong emotions and physical reactions that can persist long after the event. Individuals may feel terror, helplessness, or fear, as well as physiological reactions.
There is no cure or quick fix for someone suffering from trauma stress symptoms, but there is hope. If you or someone you love is in need of support, please reach out. Trauma survivors are best served by working with a therapist or utilizing therapy that is trauma-focused or trauma-informed. We all need help at different points in our lives which is why we live in communities. Social connection is a core human need and times of suffering are meant to be shared. We are here.
