Trauma

The Unbroken

There is a brokenness out of which comes the unbroken,
A shatteredness out of which blooms the unshatterable.
There is a sorrow beyond all grief which leads to joy
and a fragility out of whose depths emerges strength.

There is a hollow space too vast for words
through which we pass with each loss,
out of whose darkness
we are sanctioned into being.

There is a cry deeper than all sound
whose serrated edges cut the heart
as we break open to the place inside
which is unbreakable and whole
while learning to sing.
-    Rashani Rea, 1991

Trauma is the result of extraordinarily stressful events that shatter your sense of security.  This could make you feel helpless, angry, sad, shameful, confused, withdrawn, disconnected, numb and/or tired. 

A trauma event could be:

A one time event
An ongoing, relentless stress
An overlooked cause such as a surgery,
The sudden death of someone close,
 the break up of a significant relationship
or a humiliating or deeply disappointing experience.

An event can lead to trauma if:

It happened unexpectedly.
It happened repeatedly.
You were unprepared for it.
Someone was intentionally cruel.
It happened in childhood.
You felt powerless to prevent it.

Childhood trauma increases the risk of future trauma.  That includes anything that disrupts a child's sense of safety including:

An unstable or unsafe environment
Separation from a parent
Serious illness
Intrusive medical procedures
Sexual, physical or verbal abuse
Domestic violence
Neglect
Bullying

Below is a collection of articles that you may find interesting and useful.