Trauma

“Although humans rarely die from trauma, if we do not resolve it, our lives can be severely diminished by its effects. Some people have even described this situation as a “living death.” -Peter Levine

“We have learned that trauma is not just an event that took place sometime in the past; it is also the imprint left by that experience on mind, brain, and body.” -Bessel A. van der Kolk

“Trauma is a fact of life. It does not, however, have to be a life sentence.” -Peter Levine

“When something happens to the body that is too much, too fast, or too soon, it overwhelms the body and can create trauma.” -Resmaa Menakem

According to the American Psychological Association (APA), “Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, crime, natural disaster, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, death of a loved one, war, and more.” An even more simplified definition comes from Dictionary.com, “Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience.” By no means is Dictionary.com the authority on trauma, but in simplifying it much like Resmaa Menakem’s quote above, it allows for more room to include events or experiences that might not be deemed traumatic to the general population. What I mean is that we might go through something that is highly distressing to us specifically that wouldn’t be to someone else, but that doesn’t change the effect it has had on us and/or continues to have. 

It might not be abuse, but it could be an insecure attachment as a child. 
It might not be war, but it could be ongoing conflict with a loved one.
It might not be death, but it could be the ending of a relationship.
And so on.

Meaghan Semple, LPC

Still have questions or want to schedule a consultation call? Contact me here.

Trauma, I believe, comes in many forms. To define it could be limiting. The APA list above is helpful, but might lead some to believe that the trauma they have experienced is not that bad or that they shouldn’t feel affected by it because someone else has had it worse. In doing so, they might not seek out the support they need. So if you are affected by something distressing in your life, but feel like it isn’t what we would call a big “T” trauma (those included in the APA list), there is space for you here at Fort Worth Women’s Counseling. You don’t have to prove how bad or scary or upsetting it was. If it is distressing to you, then it is distressing. 

“It is never too late to heal from trauma; our bodies have an incredible capacity for resilience and transformation.”
-Peter Levine