Understanding Trauma: What It Is and How It Affects Us

What Is Trauma?

Trauma is an emotional response to a distressing or life-threatening event that overwhelms your ability to cope. It can result from a single incident—like an accident or assault—or from prolonged experiences such as abuse, discrimination, community violence, or the stress of migration and displacement. Trauma is not just about what happened, but about how the experience impacted your sense of safety, trust, and control.

Trauma can affect anyone, and each person’s response is valid. What might be traumatic for one person may not be for another, and that’s okay. Trauma is deeply personal, and healing is possible for everyone.

How Trauma Affects the Body and Mind

Physiologically:
Trauma lives in the body. It can activate the “fight, flight, or freeze” response, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Over time, this can lead to physical symptoms such as:

• Chronic fatigue or tension
• Sleep problems or nightmares
• Headaches, stomachaches, or muscle pain
• Startling easily or feeling on edge
• Changes in appetite

Emotionally:
Trauma can disrupt emotional balance, leading to:

• Anxiety, fear, or panic
• Sadness, numbness, or depression
• Guilt or shame
• Anger or irritability
• Feeling disconnected from yourself or others

Psychologically:
Trauma affects how you view yourself and the world. It may cause:

• Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
• Negative thoughts about yourself or the future
• Loss of interest in activities
• Difficulty trusting others
• A sense of hopelessness or helplessness

Common Signs of Trauma and PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Not everyone who experiences trauma develops PTSD, but for some, the symptoms are long-lasting and can interfere with daily life. Signs include:

• Intrusive thoughts or flashbacks of the event
• Avoidance of people, places, or situations that remind you of the trauma
• Emotional numbness or feeling disconnected from others
• Hypervigilance or being easily startled
• Irritability or outbursts of anger
• Persistent negative beliefs about oneself or the world
• Difficulty sleeping or concentrating

Reducing Shame and Embracing Healing

If you’ve experienced trauma, you are not alone—and there is nothing wrong with you. Your response is a natural reaction to something deeply painful. It is okay to feel overwhelmed, scared, or unsure of how to move forward.

One of the biggest barriers to healing is shame—the internal voice that says, “I should be over this,” or “It wasn’t that bad.” But shame keeps trauma in the dark. Healing begins when we bring our pain into the light, talk about it safely, and allow ourselves to be seen and supported.

There is no shame in surviving something hard. In fact, surviving is a sign of strength. Reaching out for support—whether through therapy, trusted relationships, or community resources—is a powerful step toward reclaiming your life.

You Deserve Support

Healing from trauma takes time, but it is possible. You are worthy of compassion, care, and hope. If this resonates with you, consider seeking support from a trauma-informed therapist or joining a supportive group where your experiences are respected.

You are not broken. You are human. And healing is your birthright.