The Trauma & Grief Institute
Trauma
Trauma is any event that causes psychological, emotional, or physical harm. A traumatic event can also be referred to as a loss event – death; divorce; terminal illness; physical, emotional, psychological, sexual or spiritual abuse; terrorism and mass violence/murder; legal problems; loss of freedom; loss of bodily control; loss of safety; loss of trust; loss of employment; or loss from a natural disaster.
Research suggests that epigenetic trauma can be passed from one generation to the next. Transgenerational trauma (also known as multigenerational, intergenerational and inherited trauma) is trauma passed down from the first generation of trauma survivors to subsequent generations. Psychological trauma can lead to debilitating depression, pain and suffering which interferes with individual functioning and daily life, making it difficult to cope.
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Grief
Grief is our natural response to loss. When we experience a traumatic event, we’re faced with a two-fold challenge: (1) coping with trauma; and (2) coping with grief. No two people grieve alike. However, there are common threads in the grieving process. Research also suggests intersections between trauma and grief, whereby people may suffer trauma and grief simultaneously (traumatic grief). However, recovery from traumatic effects IS possible, because the human spirit is resilient.
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