What is Trauma?

Trauma can be understood as experiencing or witnessing an event involving actual or threatened serious injury, sexual violence, or death. *(Based on definition of trauma in DSM-5)

Examples of trauma include:

• Serious accident or serious injury

• Natural disaster (e.g., tornado, hurricane, earthquake, fire, or flood)

• Sudden life-threatening illness

• Being attacked with a gun, knife, or other weapon

• Attacked without a weapon, but with the intent to kill or seriously injure

• Severely beaten, or witnessing severe physical violence

• Sexual abuse as a child or adolescent

• Rape or attempted rape

• Physical force or the threat of physical force leading to unwanted sexual contact

• Aggravated assault

• Combat or being in a combat zone

• Accidental death or murder of a close friend or family member

• Suicide of a close friend or family member

Common Reactions to Trauma Include:

• Fear and anxiety

• Re-experiencing of the trauma: unwanted thoughts, flashbacks, nightmares

• Increased arousal, impatience

• Avoidance

• Anger and irritability

• Guilt and shame

• Grief and depression

• Negative self-image

• Difficult trusting others

• Use of alcohol or other substances

• Difficulty with sexual relationships