What You Need to Know About Trauma

Emotional, or psychological, trauma happens when experiences leave you feeling unsafe or helpless. Some trauma may also cause physical harm, such as a car accident or assault, but you do not have to be physically injured to experience emotional trauma.

Trauma changes the way our brains function, especially if we’ve been hurt repeatedly or from a very young age. Our brains learn to go into protective mode and scan for danger all of the time to keep us safe. Treatment for trauma focuses on reteaching our brain that we can support ourselves and feel safe in spite of the harm that has happened.

Find out how trauma works, how it’s treated, and what you can do to cope.