Trauma is a deeply distressing or disturbing experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. It can result from a single event, such as an accident, assault, or loss, or from prolonged exposure to distressing situations, such as abuse, neglect, or ongoing stress. Trauma can affect emotional wellbeing, physical health, and relationships, and its impact can last long after the event itself.

The experience of trauma can manifest in many ways. Emotionally, individuals may feel anxious, fearful, numb, angry, or overwhelmed. Physically, trauma can create sensations such as a racing heartbeat, muscle tension, a feeling of heat or flush, shaking, difficulty breathing, or sudden fatigue. These bodily experiences are part of the body’s natural stress response and reflect the deep impact trauma has on the nervous system.

Trauma can influence thinking, behaviour, and emotional regulation. It may cause difficulties with concentration, memory, trust, and self-esteem. It can also affect relationships, leading to withdrawal, difficulty with intimacy, or heightened sensitivity to perceived threats. Unprocessed trauma can contribute to mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, or complex PTSD.

Therapy provides a safe and supportive environment to work through traumatic experiences. Approaches may include trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy, eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR), somatic experiencing, and other therapeutic models designed to process trauma safely. Therapy can help individuals understand the impact of trauma, develop coping strategies, and build resilience.

Healing from trauma is not about forgetting the experience but learning to integrate it into life in a way that allows individuals to regain a sense of safety and control. Through therapy, people can reconnect with themselves, regulate their emotional and physical responses, and rebuild their confidence and wellbeing.

Trauma is deeply personal, and healing looks different for everyone. Compassion, understanding, and professional support can make the journey toward recovery possible and empower individuals to move forward with strength and hope.