The definition of "trauma" has evolved over recent years. The 1979 Funk and Wagnalls Standard Desk Dictionary defined the term as, "1. a. any injury to the body caused by shock, violence, etc.; a wound. b. the general condition of the system resulting from such an injury or wound. Also truamatism. 2. Psychiatry A severe emotional shock having a deep often lasting effect upon the personality."
As research into the emotional, psychological, and physiological consequences of traumatic events on human beings across the life span has evolved thus the definition of "trauma" has expanded to include chronic stress and multiple events in peoples' lives as well as single traumatic incidents such as car accidents, earthquakes or the events of 9/11. The traumatic stress due to childhood sexual and physical abuse as well as neglect and abandonment has been studied and data emerging from those investigations have contributed to newer definitions of "Complex Trauma" or "Complex PTSD". These newer terms refer to the effects of such abuse on the attachement processes and primary relationship dynamics of the individual.
The links below provide helpful information about the various and complicated issues related to trauma.
Find excellent information and interventions possibilities related to "trauma"
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network can be accessed with this link:
http://www.nctsnet.org
For the National Center for Trauma Informed Care click on the following link:
http://www.mentalhealth.samhsa.gov/nctic
EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing which is a technigue that has been discovered to assist individuals in the resolution of traumatic experiences or effects. EMDR should only be used by trained practitioners and should be a part of an overall treatment protocol that addresses all aspects of a person's treatment such as relationships, functioning, personal goals, and health. I am certified in the use of EMDR through EMDRIA.
Click on one of the links below to learn more about EMDR.