Coping with Trauma
Trauma is a serious physical or emotional injury or shock that can cause significant damage or distress. Traumatic events are extraordinary, not because they rarely happen but because they overwhelm the day-to-day adaptations to life.
Trauma can be acute, a single event like a natural disaster, assault, or car accident. It can be chronic, in which trauma is prolonged or occurs repeatedly, such as abuse, bullying, or living through a pandemic. Trauma can also be historical, in which it is accumulated across generations, like racialized trauma.
The resources below are designed to help you better understand trauma, its impact, and resources for support.
Coping with Traumatic Stress
See infographic below, or download it here.
For Further Reading:
- How to cope with traumatic events (JED)
- How to Cope with Safety Threats in Your Community or World (JED)
- Coping with Traumatic Events (NIH)
- Common Reactions After Trauma (Dept of Veteran Affairs)
- How to cope with traumatic stress (APA)
- Coping Tips for Traumatic Events and Disasters (SAMHSA)
- Managing distress in the aftermath of a shooting (APA)
- VCU's Survivor Support Services