Understanding Trauma

Terrible events are difficult to deal with; while some people may recover naturally from a catastrophic life experience, others will find the after-effects much more painful, often feeling permanently changed by the impact of what has happened. Feelings of extreme fear, horror or helplessness can lead to a pattern of reactions that are constantly repeated and can be very disruptive to daily life. The sufferer may become numb, feeling themselves shut off from those around them, or grief or guilt may constantly weigh them down. Memories of horrifying scenes they have witnessed may intrude into their waking hours, while their sleep may be disturbed by vivid, unpleasant dreams.