Abstract

Impact of Trauma

Author(s): Asherson P

Trauma is a reaction to a highly distressing or upsetting occurrence that overwhelms a person's ability to cope, triggers feelings of helplessness, destroys one's sense of self, and restricts one's ability to feel a full range of emotions and experiences. It makes no distinctions and is present all over the world. Psychological trauma occurs when a person's mind is impaired as a result of one or more distressing incidents that trigger excessive levels of stress and overpower the person's ability to cope with or integrate the emotions involved, ultimately contributing to severe, longterm negative effects.