trauma
TRAW-muh
/ˈtrɔː.mə/
Deep distress or emotional shock caused by a severely disturbing experience, or physical injury.
Refers specifically to psychological injury that overwhelms an individual's normal ability to cope.
The story behind the word. The word comes directly from Ancient Greek 'trauma', which literally meant a physical wound or bodily injury. In the late 19th century, pioneer psychoanalysts extended the term to describe psychological wounds that leave lasting scars on the mind.
Word relationships
- shock: Shock is often sudden and brief, while trauma implies lasting psychological damage.
- distress: Distress is general suffering; trauma involves severe disruption of psychological equilibrium.
- well-being: Refers to a state of health, happiness, and equilibrium.
Commonly confused with
- stress: Stress is daily tension or pressure, whereas trauma stems from catastrophic, destabilizing events.
Word family
- traumatic (adjective): Causing severe emotional or physical distress.
- traumatize (verb): To inflict emotional shock or severe distress upon.
Collocations
- severe trauma
- childhood trauma
- emotional trauma
- trauma response
Example sentences
- "Early childhood trauma can profoundly alter nervous system development." Psychology
Memory hook
Think of a 'TRAUMA' as an invisible physical wound that takes time to heal. Trauma = psychological wound.
When not to use
Do not use to describe minor daily inconveniences or mild disappointments.
Fun facts
- Sigmund Freud was among the first to popularize using this surgical term for psychological injuries.
Related words
Explore more words
amnesia, PTSD, devastation, Psychological, homesick, withdrawn
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