What is Trauma

Trauma is a profound psychological, neurobiological, and embodied response resulting from experiences perceived as overwhelmingly threatening or distressing, exceeding an individual’s capacity to cope effectively.

Rather than solely being defined by external events, trauma is primarily characterized by the lasting internal disruptions it creates, shaping and altering emotional regulation, neural networks, physiological stability, and interpersonal relationships. It is not simply an event but an internal process reorganizing the individual’s sense of self, safety, connection, and coherence. Effective approaches to trauma, therefore, must address the integrated mind-body consequences of these experiences, guiding individuals towards resilience, reconnection, and holistic restoration of well-being.

Beyond the “small or big Ts”

Traditionally, trauma has often been categorized into “Big T” (major, catastrophic events like violence, natural disasters, or severe accidents) and “small t” (seemingly less severe events like emotional neglect, interpersonal conflicts, or humiliation). However, current psychotraumatology suggests this dichotomy is overly simplistic and potentially misleading.

The scale of the external event doesn’t accurately define the severity of trauma, but rather by the individual’s internal experience, perception of threat, and the neurobiological imprint left behind. This means that so-called “small t” traumas, when chronic or occurring during vulnerable developmental stages, can have equally profound and debilitating effects as traditional “Big T” events.

Thus, evolving beyond these labels allows for a more accurate, compassionate, and integrative understanding of trauma, recognizing that trauma’s accurate measure lies within its meaning, lasting impact, and emotional imprint, rather than solely in the external magnitude of events.

Neuroscience of Trauma

Trauma is the memory of an event stored dysfunctionally in the memory neuronetworks.

Trauma is defined as an overwhelming experience or series of experiences that trigger persistent dysregulation and adaptive alterations within neural networks, neuroendocrine systems, and autonomic nervous system functioning. These profound physiological responses notably impact key brain regions—including the amygdala, hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and default mode network—significantly disrupting emotional regulation, memory processing, self-perception, and the capacity to experience safety and connection.

From a memory perspective, is understood as a disruption in the brain’s ability to process and integrate experiences cohesively. During traumatic events, the brain’s encoding mechanisms can become impaired, leading to memories that are fragmented, sensory-laden, and lacking chronological order. These traumatic memories often manifest as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, or somatic sensations, distinct from typical autobiographical memories.

Francine Shapiro, the originator of Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR) therapy, redefined trauma through the lens of her Adaptive Information Processing (AIP) model. In this framework, trauma is not solely about the external event but about the way distressing experiences are inadequately processed and stored in the brain.

Definitions by experts

Pierre Janet

trauma os a disruption in the integration of memories, leading to dissociation.

Judith Herman

Trauma is an event that overwhelms an individual’s capacity to cope, leading to feelings of helplessness and loss of control

Bessel van der Kolk

Trauma is not merely an event of the past but the persistent imprint of pain, horror, and fear on the body and mind. Altering brain functions, affecting memory, perception, and the ability to feel safe, leading individuals to relive traumatic experiences physically and emotionally.

Gabor Mate

Trauma is not just what happens to a person but what happens inside them as a result of distressing events.