Trauma is often misunderstood as an event; however, trauma is actually a physiological response in your body. Trauma occurs when your nervous system becomes so overwhelmed that your brain is unable to process what is happening. It is the emotional and physical reaction to a terrible event like an accident, sexual assault, or natural disaster. It can also occur from repeated trauma, like emotional, physical, or sexual abuse.

Secondary traumatic stress is the emotional response that results when an individual hears (or sees) firsthand traumatic experiences of others.

Vicarious trauma is from empathetic engagement with trauma survivors. Anyone who engages empathetically with survivors of traumatic incidents, torture, and material relating to their trauma is potentially affected.

Complex trauma is ongoing and repeated traumatic events/ instances. Examples may be childhood abuse, physical or emotional neglect, abandonment, ongoing domestic violence, repeatedly witnessing violence, repeated cyberbullying, ongoing emotional abuse, medical trauma, etc. Complex trauma often has interpersonal consequences longterm and can impact future relationships. It can result in delayed development, difficulties with regulating emotions, intense shame, and disassociation.