Additional Information and Examples of Trauma

“Trauma comes from any experience where we feel too much pain, be it physical and/or emotional ~ when we are too scared, too anxious, too worried, too ashamed. These intense forms of emotions and experiences leave a lasting impression on our mind and body.  Trauma causes actual changes in how our brain and heart grow and function, so emotional trauma is now known to be a physical injury because important parts of our body have been affected. The symptoms of trauma are completely natural and are our mind and body’s way of calling for help.  Trauma can cause people to make unsafe choices.  And these unsafe choices are usually made as an attempt at relief, to try to regulate, or to feel better. 

"When people can understand that the symptoms of trauma are natural and even to be expected, they can begin to forgive themselves, to understand that they are not bad or crazy, simply injured and affected by experiences in their environment.”    Jeremy’s quote   

Some examples of Trauma include: 

• Sexual, Physical or Emotional Abuse or Neglect
• Traumatic grief, loss or abandonment of a loved one
• Natural Disasters
• Man Made Disasters
• Interpersonal or Domestic Violence
• Medical Trauma
• Community or School Violence
• Terrorism or Refugee Trauma
• Military Combat
• Serious Accidents  

Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services
1200 NE 13th Street
PO Box 53277
Oklahoma City, OK  73152-3277
405-522-3908    405-522-3851 TDD    405-522-3650 Fax
Toll-Free, 24 Hours  1-800-522-9054 
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