Trauma refers to the emotional and psychological response to an event—or series of events—that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope, often involving actual or perceived threats to life, safety, or bodily integrity. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop following trauma and is characterized by symptoms such as intrusive memories, hypervigilance, avoidance of reminders, and alterations in mood and arousal. These symptoms can significantly impair daily functioning and relationships. Evidence-based treatments such as Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), including trauma-focused modalities like Prolonged Exposure (PE) and Cognitive Processing Therapy (CPT) are commonly used to help individuals process traumatic memories, reduce symptom severity, and restore a sense of safety and control.
