Trauma is defined as “severe emotional shock and pain caused by an extremely upsetting experience” (The Cambridge Dictionary). But trauma is also an extremely subjective experience because what may be traumatic for one person may barely affect another. Generally speaking, when someone experience excessive stress that overwhelms ones emotional or physical ability to cope, this is being referred to as trauma. Emotional trauma can be experienced by anyone even without the physical trauma but the two sometimes are often go hand-in-hand. An example of this is when the wounds from physical trauma like the loss of a limb or a gunshot wound, while an obvious shock to the body, will eventually heal. While all the emotional wounds and repercussions of the actual traumatic event are left to the person. Symptoms of trauma Symptoms of trauma can vary from person to person. A traumatized individual may suffer from one or several of the following symptoms. (list not complete) • upsetting memories such as images, thoughts or flashbacks • nightmares • insomnia • re-experience the trauma mentally and physically • emotional detatchment (known as dissociation) • individuals may turn to alcohol and/or drugs • stress/anxiety disorders • panic attacks • anger • despair • depression • loss of self-esteem. Causes of trauma • abuse • violence • threat of abuse or violence • witnessing of abuse or violence • catastrophic events (war, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes e...
