Do you find yourself often wondering, "When is the next bad thing going to happen?" Or maybe no matter how hard you try, you can't seem to stop thinking about a difficult event that happened years ago. If this is a familiar experience, you may be struggling with long-lasting symptoms from the effects of trauma. Even if your experience doesn't fit the clinical definition of trauma, you can still struggle with these symptoms, and your pain is valid.

Many people are surprised to learn that trauma isn't just about what happens to you directly. Clinically, trauma is defined as exposure to actual or threatened death, serious injury, or sexual violence—but its impact reaches much further.

You can be affected by trauma if you were the victim, if you witnessed the event, or even if you learned it happened to a close friend or family member. Even professionals, like first responders, who are repeatedly exposed to the details of others' trauma can experience significant impacts. If your life feels shaped by an overwhelming event, your experience is valid, and you deserve support.