Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing event, or series of events, that are emotionally disturbing and can overwhelm an individual s ability to cope.

The experience of trauma can cause long-lasting harm to the individual s mental, physical, social, emotional and/or spiritual wellbeing and may affect their ability to function well from day to day.

However, what s traumatic is personal. Whether an event or incident is traumatic or not is partly determined by how the person experiences it and how they respond to it; rather than by the specific circumstances of the event.

People with similar experiences may be affected differently not all traumas have negative long-term consequences.

Defining and understanding trauma

Trauma doesn t just emanate from personal or family problems, but the

social and political issues that underpin them.

Trauma can come from witnessing or living with multiple experiences, such as:

Abuse, bullying, discrimination, domestic violence, mental health problems, neglect, poverty, racism, sexism, substance abuse,

terrorism, war.

Human development is cumulative - What has happened to us in the past impacts our present and our future.

How does trauma affect our brains and bodies? Click here to read more

about the neurobiology of trauma.

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Trauma can include events

where you feel...