What is Trauma?

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Trauma is an overwhelming experience that changes your life and the way you feel about yourself and others. It also influences your most basic beliefs about the world. Trauma is difficult to understand and even more difficult to describe, yet it is common in our culture.

Your life is affected by trauma in many ways. Some are obvious, physical or mental pain and suffering; others may be less visible, such as what is happening in your relationships, at work and at home. Your thoughts, feelings and emotions can be affected.

At some point in our lives, we’ve all experienced what it feels like to be “traumatized.” This might be a particularly distressing experience that happens once or twice, or it can be something that happens frequently, over a period of time. Whatever the case may be, the effects of trauma can last for long periods of time even after the event has passed.

If you’re experiencing traumatic events in your life, it can be hard to know how to help yourself. This can affect every aspect of your life, including your ability to find joy, love and stability.

You don't have to be a war veteran or rape survivor to suffer from trauma. It can happen at any age, and it can leave you feeling like your life is never going to be normal again. But here's the good news: Wounds can heal. Having been through trauma doesn't mean that you'll never be happy again