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Writer's pictureKaterina Nemcova

Understanding Trauma in Everyday Life


There is a lot of confusion surrounding the word “trauma.” It's both overused in casual conversation and underappreciated in its clinical significance. As a psychologist, I often encounter misunderstandings about what trauma truly means. It is not just a term for any difficult experience, nor is it limited to only the most extreme events. Trauma refers to how our nervous system processes and stores overwhelming experiences. This reaction can have lasting effects on our mind and body, influencing our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours long after the event has passed.


Trauma can result from various situations, from one-time incidents to prolonged exposure to stress. What is important to understand is that trauma is subjective. An event that traumatises one person may not affect another in the same way.


When we experience trauma, our brain's alarm system becomes overactive, while the part responsible for rational thinking is impaired. This can lead to symptoms like intrusive thoughts, avoidance behaviours, hypervigilance, and emotional numbness.


EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing) is an effective treatment for trauma. It helps the brain reprocess traumatic memories, reducing their emotional impact. After EMDR, many clients report they can recall the event without feeling overwhelmed by it. Neuroplasticity underscores the brain's remarkable ability to form new neural connections throughout life, allowing for healing like any other wound. With proper support and treatment, we can recover from trauma and often move towards post-traumatic growth.


Katerina Nemcova

Clinical Psychologist

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