Home Psychology Psychological Trauma: When the Past Haunts the Present

Psychological Trauma: When the Past Haunts the Present

by Anna Dalton

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Psychological trauma is the internal response to events that are overwhelmingly distressing or threatening to one’s sense of safety and stability. Unlike physical injuries, which may heal with time and treatment, emotional trauma often remains hidden, silently shaping a person’s worldview, emotional patterns, and relationships long after the event has passed.

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Trauma can result from a wide range of experiences — including physical or emotional abuse, neglect, accidents, violence, loss, or prolonged exposure to chronic stress. For some, a single incident like a car crash or assault may be traumatic. For others, especially children, long-term exposure to unstable or unsafe environments can lead to complex trauma, with far-reaching consequences for emotional development and identity.

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