Trauma
The lasting effects of a frightening or overwhelming experience, and therapy approaches that help.
What it is
Trauma is the lasting impact of an experience that overwhelmed someone's ability to cope at the time — an accident, violence, abuse, or a frightening medical event among many possibilities. It can affect the nervous system in ways that show up long after the event itself is over.
Common signs
- Intrusive memories or nightmares related to the event
- Avoiding people, places, or situations that bring it to mind
- Feeling constantly on edge or easily startled
- Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from yourself or others
- Strong physical reactions to reminders of the event
Good to know
Trauma responses are not a sign of weakness — they're a nervous system doing exactly what it's built to do under threat, just continuing past the point where the threat has ended.
What helps
Trauma-focused therapy approaches (several exist, and a counsellor can help match one to your situation) have strong evidence for reducing symptoms, even years after the original event.
When to seek help
If reminders of a past event are still significantly affecting daily life, that's exactly what trauma-focused counselling is for — there's no expiry date on it being worth addressing.
This page is general information, not a diagnosis or medical advice. If you're in crisis, go to Get Help Now instead of reading further.