Clinical Psychology Sydney North-West In-Person & Telehealth Appointments
Enquire About an Appointment →
HomeUnderstanding Trauma and Trauma Responses

Understanding Trauma and Trauma Responses

Understanding Trauma and Trauma Responses

Traumatic and highly distressing experiences can affect people in different ways — some notice changes shortly after an event, others months or years later.

Possible responses may include intrusive memories, nightmares, avoidance, emotional numbness, irritability, hypervigilance, sleep disturbance or difficulty feeling safe. It is also important to recognise that trauma is not defined only by the type of event that occurred — individual responses can be influenced by previous experiences, personal circumstances, available support and many other factors.

Trauma treatment should be individualised. Psychological therapy may involve developing coping and emotional regulation skills, understanding trauma responses, and carefully working through difficult experiences when appropriate.

Learn more about trauma-informed psychological support →

← Back to Articles