Emotional Trauma

EMOTIONAL TRAUMA: the very words suggest the aftermath of shocking events like war, rape, disasters or terrible accidents but trauma can result from any experience that leaves us feeling threatened helpless, overwhelmed and alone. Traumatic stress that influences the brain is as likely to be caused by poor attachment to a primary caretaker as being abused. The symptoms that can follow unresolved trauma encompass a great range of possibilities including depression, anxiety and many other mental and emotional disorders, learning disabilities and chronic persistent health problems of unknown origin. Fortunately, a recent discovery in neuroscience makes complete healing from trauma a real possibility. Research done in the past dozen years makes it irrefutably clear that our brains remain plastic and capable of regenerative healing throughout life.

This section will eventually be the equivalent of a book that can be downloaded. At this point, however, only the introductory chapter, Trauma's Many Faces, is available. This first chapter is an overview of Emotional Trauma in light of the new brain research. Questions addressed in this chapter include, "Why Do I Feel This Way?" and "Why Can't I Get Over It?"

A note of thanks to Dr. Jaelline Jaffe for her input on Trauma's Many Faces.

Traumas Many Faces: Recognizing and Healing Emotional Trauma:

Recognizing Trauma is the first part of Trauma's Many Faces and describes the symptoms and causes of emotional trauma.

Healing Trauma is the final part of Trauma's Many Faces and is a description of how trauma is healed.

Quiz & Overview of Trauma Symptomotology:

Is Emotional Trauma a Factor in Your Life? Quizzes you on symptoms that may suggest you are living with unresolved trauma.

Types of Emotional Trauma is a breakdown of trauma symptomology.

Segal is noted in the field of emotional intelligence. Her books include Feeling Great: Enhancing Your Health & Well-Being (Unity, 1981), Living Beyond Fear: Coping with the Emotional Aspects of Life-Threatening Illness (Ballantine, 1989), and Raising Your Emotional Intelligence: A Practical Guide for Harnessing the Power of Your Instincts and Emotions, (Holt, 1997). She has coordinated the From Neurons To Neighborhoods Conferences in Los Angeles that are spreading the word about new ways to understand and heal emotional trauma.