How is Trauma Defined?
––The experience of violence and victimization including sexual abuse, physical abuse, severe neglect, loss, domestic violence and/or the witnessing of violence, terrorism or disasters. (NASMHPD, 2006)
also...
~ a person’s response to the situation, incident, or event involves intense fear, horror and helplessness.
and...
~ there is extreme stress that overwhelms the person's capacity to cope. (APA, 2000)
and...
~ there is extreme stress that overwhelms the person's capacity to cope. (APA, 2000)
In other words...
Trauma is what we experience during an event or situation where we
felt intense fear, horror, or helplessness
and what we endured, survived, or were exposed to
left us incapable of coping.
felt intense fear, horror, or helplessness
and what we endured, survived, or were exposed to
left us incapable of coping.