Trauma
As Gabor Mate says, “Trauma is the invisible force that shapes our lives.” It shapes how we interact with our loved ones, our friends, and the world. Trauma shapes how we react and how we love. It’s how we make sense of the world.
Trauma is not what happens to you, but what happens INSIDE you as a result of what happens to you. It leaves an imprint in your nervous system, in your body, in your psyche, and then will show up in a multitude of ways that might not be helpful later on in life.
There are various ways that trauma can impact our lives. Sometimes it may feel like we are stuck and can’t move forward. Trauma is no longer just reserved for people that have experienced violence or near-death experiences.
Here are some examples of victimizations (situations/Experiences/Events) that may cause reactions to trauma:
• Child or adult Sexual Abuse & Assault
• Child or adult physical abuse and neglect
• Individuals who were parentified as children (perhaps as a child you took on the parent role)
• Bullying
• Burglary
• Medical Traumas
• Domestic and/or Family Violene
• Hate crime
• Human Trafficking: Sex/labor
• Mass violence
Here are some common reactions to Trauma & when to seek help:
• Disturbing memories/flashbacks of the stressful experience/Nightmares
• Anger, shame, guilt, blame
• Grief
• Difficulty with trust
• Changes in self-esteem
• Isolations, feeling numb or disconnected
• Trouble sleeping/Trouble eating
• Reactions to trauma may start to interfere with work, relationships, or ability to function.
• Reactions to trauma may be present immediately after the stressful experience or may appear long after experience has occurred.
