Trauma is defined as experience that overwhelms an individual’s capacity to cope. Whether it is experienced early in life—for example, as a result of childabuse, neglect, witnessing violence and disrupted attachment—or later in life due to violence, accidents, natural disasters, war, sudden unexpected loss and other life events that are out of one’s control, trauma can be devastating. Experiences like these can interfere with a person’s sense of safety, self and self-efficacy, as well as the ability to regulate emotions and navigate relationships. Traumatized people commonly feel terror, shame, helplessness and powerlessness.
CCSA
