: an injury (such as a wound) to living tissue caused by an extrinsic agent
b
: a disordered psychic or behavioral state resulting from severe mental or emotional stress or physical injury
c
: an emotional upset
the personal trauma of an executive who is not living up to his own expectations Karen W. Arenson
2
: an agent, force, or mechanism that causes trauma
Did you know?
Trauma is the Greek word for "wound". Although the Greeks used the term only for physical injuries, nowadays trauma is just as likely to refer to emotional wounds. We now know that a traumatic event can leave psychological symptoms long after any physical injuries have healed. The psychological reaction to emotional trauma now has an established name: post-traumatic stress disorder, or PTSD. It usually occurs after an extremely stressful event, such as wartime combat, a natural disaster, or sexual or physical abuse; its symptoms include depression, anxiety, flashbacks, and recurring nightmares.
Example Sentences
She never fully recovered from the traumas she suffered during her childhood. She never fully recovered from the trauma of her experiences. an accident victim with severe head trauma repeated trauma to a knee The accident victim sustained multiple traumas.
Recent Examples on the WebHate attacks are probably underreported for reasons that include the trauma experienced by victims, fear of retaliation and lack of knowledge about where to go, the report said. Gabriel San Románstaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 16 Sep. 2022 The cause for higher rates is complex – for example, the rates seen in Alaska Native populations correlate with systemic inequities, such as intergenerational trauma, socioeconomic factors, racial and ethnic discrimination and more.Anchorage Daily News, 15 Sep. 2022 Other factors can include life stressors such as criminal or legal matters, persecution, eviction or home loss, grief, a devastating or debilitating illness, trauma, or other crises, according to NAMI. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 10 Sep. 2022 Here comes the trauma, the genesis of the counterlife. Adam Begley, The Atlantic, 9 Sep. 2022 But like most post-Holocaust American Jews, there was collective generational trauma — as well as personal tragedies, from death to drug addiction — that acted as a connective tissue between Howard and Ben Stern and the families tuning in to listen. Malina Saval, Variety, 6 Sep. 2022 The risk factors include previous family history, being over 50, repetitive trauma, diabetes, smoking and alcohol. Dr. Keith Roach, oregonlive, 5 Sep. 2022 These complications can lead to dangerous long-term consequences for mothers, including lasting trauma, injuries, and an inability to bear children again. Tristan Bove, Fortune, 2 Sep. 2022 There were no visible signs of trauma, injury or illness, the zoo said. Megan Becka, cleveland, 24 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Greek traumat-, trauma wound, alteration of trōma; akin to Greek titrōskein to wound, tetrainein to pierce — more at throw entry 1