If you have gone through something that was too much to process, if it in any way injured or harmed you, if it somehow shaped you, it is most likely you have experienced trauma.
A mainstream medical perspective on trauma revolves around PTSD: when somebody has been in a car accident, in a war zone, in a natural disaster, or has been robbed, and they've had a very intense, distressing, overloading experience.
Complementary perspectives on trauma include very subtle, disturbing experiences that can impact and shatter us mentally and emotionally.
In my professional experience, trauma results from experiencing any situation that is too much for our nervous system to handle at the time it happens.
It could be and obvious situation (overt) or subtle, not so obvios (covert).
It could be a situation where you didn't feel physically safe, or maybe you felt physically safe but not emotionally safe.
It is important to understand and recognize the impact of traumatic experiences. Being trauma aware involves knowledge of trauma symptoms, triggers, and coping mechanisms, as well as an awareness of the importance of creating safe and supportive environments for those who have experienced trauma.
If you have experienced trauma, please know it is ok to seek help. Many times, experiencing trauma can lead to an adulthood spent in survival mode, unable to trust, to let joy in.
May this be a reminder for you: it is possible to heal trauma, there is more to life than mere survival, you are meant for so much more!
I’m here for you,
~ L, xx.