Trauma is the psychological as well as the physiological response to an experience that overwhelms a person’s ability to cope. Two individuals can have the same event happen and respond differently. Specifically, trauma occurs when the nervous system becomes dysregulated and remains in a state of heightened activation or shutdown long after the event has passed.

Acute trauma often happens from a single overwhelming event that threatens physical or emotional safety. Examples of acute trauma can include a car accident, assault or robbery, witnessing violence, or a sudden medical emergency. These are one time events that cause significant distress in an individual and often necessitates trauma counseling.

It’s so hard when you have pent up emotion and nothing to do with it. The truth is that trauma lives in the body and although supportive and compassionate talk therapy is essential, it doesn’t take care of the physical aspect. Examples include repressed anger that can come out as pain in the head, shoulders, neck and back as well as repressed stress and anxiety.