What it can look like:
Trauma can stem from a single event (like an accident or assault) or ongoing experiences (like abuse, neglect, or chronic stress). It may cause flashbacks, hypervigilance, emotional numbing, avoidance, nightmares, or dissociation.

How it manifests:
Trauma may disrupt daily functioning, relationships, and self-identity. It often leads to anxiety, depression, low self-worth, difficulty trusting others, or fear of being emotionally vulnerable.

Therapeutic approach:
Trauma therapy may involve EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing), somatic work, narrative therapy, or trauma-informed CBT. The focus is on safety, processing the trauma, reducing its emotional charge, and reconnecting with a sense of self and empowerment.