Psychological trauma is caused by exposure to an event or sequence of events outside one's normal day to day experience, with the potential to cause or threaten death or serious injury to self or others. This can result from experiencing, witnessing or learning about a traumatic event. Traumatic events can overwhelm a person's capacity to adaptively process the experience. While most people experience intense reactions to such events, these reactions usually settle within 2-4 weeks with effective self-care and support from others who care.
The same event however, can impact some people more deeply than others. This is not a sign of weakness but that the traumatic event has profoundly shocked or had deep personal impact such as triggering historical memories. If symptoms persist beyond 2-4 weeks or they significantly impair the person's ability to function professional mental health support is strongly advised. The most common causes of trauma are occur from motor vehicle accidents, sexual and physical assault, sudden loss or combat.
Treatment greatly reduces and can sometimes eliminate trauma symptoms. Treatment also increases resilience to deal with potential future trauma.
"Most great instigators of social change have intimate personal knowledge of trauma. Oprah Winfrey comes to mind, as do Maya Angelou, Nelson Mandela, and Elie Wiesel. Read the life history of any visionary, and you will find insights and passions that came from having dealt with devastation".
Dr. Bessel Van Der Kolk, ‘The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma’