What is Trauma?

Individual trauma results from an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by an individual as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening and that has lasting adverse effects on the individual’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual well-being.

What Causes Trauma?

Events the person doesn’t remember

Often happen in early childhood and can include examples such as abuse, homelessness, and natural disasters.

Events that are well-intentioned and necessary

Examples include routine medical procedures, surgeries, medical appointments, etc.

Events that didn’t happen to the person but to a group they identify with

Examples include slavery, Holocaust, genocide

Chronic Stressors

Types of Trauma