Any experience that is less than nurturing and causes you to change your perception of yourself, others and the world can be defined as trauma.

The truth is we all have experiences in life that affect us negatively and cause us to suffer.  The second truth is we are often unaware the negative experience affects the hardwiring of our brains.

The younger you are when this happens the greater likelihood it is this experience will stay with you.  The result can be a history of depression and anxiety. In clinical terms, we might define this as a trauma.

Trauma is experienced in many forms, from abandonment and neglect to bullying and loss. It doesn’t only occur in a war zone.

It is normal that the perspective shift that occurs with the trauma can be staggering, shocking, and disconcerting and leave you not knowing how to respond. It happens in both the big moments of life, as well as the little ones.

Experiencing trauma is part of the human condition. Some people experience unresolved feelings resulting from a trauma that results in psychological stress. A professional counselor can help you determine if this is true for you, as well as provide support and tools for dealing with your experience.

Ann Sheerin MA
Asheerin@GROWcounseling.com