Psychological Trauma

Dr. Robert Macy defines psychological trauma as “overwhelming demands placed on [a person’s] physiological system that result in a profound felt sense of vulnerability or loss of control.” The source of such stressors can take a wide variety of forms: a singular event or a facet of ongoing adversity; acts of nature or human actions; accidental or intentional experiences; the presence of harm or the absence of essential human needs. Stressors can be objectively or subjectively threatening to life, safety or well-being.