What Is Trauma? Part I

When we hear the word trauma, many of us picture extreme, catastrophic events, such as natural disasters, combat, or violent assaults. Those can certainly qualify as trauma, but the reality is much more complex, and often more personal. Trauma isn’t just the event itself. It’s about the impact of the event and the experience it has on your nervous system, your relationships, and the way you move through the world. 

In my practice, I’ve seen that trauma can come in many forms. Some wounds are apparent, while others are quieter, harder to recognize, and easier for others to dismiss. We may not fully recognize them for what they are until they begin to show up in our bodies, our thoughts, and our relationships.

Trauma Defined

Psychiatrist Judith Herman, one of the foremost experts in the field, describes trauma as an “affliction of the powerless.” When we feel trapped, overwhelmed, or unable to protect ourselves, our nervous system registers it, and we may interpret it as traumatic. This means trauma isn’t limited to war zones or emergencies. One can also find trauma in childhood neglect, ongoing criticism, or a relationship where you feel unsafe.

Bessel van der Kolk, another leading researcher, reminds us that trauma lives not just in memory but in the body. His phrase “the body keeps the score” captures what so many clients already know: the impact of trauma often lingers in tension, anxiety, chronic health struggles, or sudden emotional reactions that feel “out of nowhere.” (van der Kolk, 2014)

Different Faces of Trauma

Trauma doesn’t always look the same. For some, it comes in the form of clearly overwhelming events like accidents, assaults, disasters, or sudden losses. For others, it develops more subtly over time. Growing up in an environment where your parents, peers, or others dismissed your feelings, being consistently criticized, feeling unseen or unloved, witnessing arguments or violence regularly, or living in a culture where parts of your identity were not accepted or safe, can leave you feeling powerless and with “unexplained” symptoms and behaviors that, to you or others, have no “obvious” cause.

Any of these experiences can leave lasting imprints on the nervous system. Whether it’s a single shocking event or a series of smaller wounds that add up, trauma shapes how we see ourselves, how safe we feel in the world, and how we connect with others. Each person’s experience of trauma is unique and personal, and it’s important to recognize and respect this individuality.

Why Trauma Matters

Many people don’t realize that their struggles today may be linked to earlier experiences of overwhelm or disconnection that can be considered traumatic. Difficulties with boundaries, feeling “on edge,” trouble trusting others, or physical health issues can be linked to traumatic experiences from the past. If we can acknowledge and understand what trauma is and how it can look and feel different for others, we can move through it and build the lives we want to live, rather than just survive. Understanding what trauma is and how it manifests can help us move toward reclaiming our sense of safety and possibility in life, fostering resilience and hope as we move forward.

Looking Ahead

This blog is Part I in a series I’ll be sharing about trauma. In upcoming posts, we’ll look at the different categories of trauma, how trauma affects the brain and body, and the ways therapy can help restore connection, calm, and wholeness.

Citations: 

van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Viking.