What Is Trauma, Really? And Do I Have It?

Do I have trauma?

When most people hear the word “trauma,” they think of something extreme—war, assault, or a life-threatening event. But trauma isn’t always loud or obvious. Sometimes, it looks like silence. Numbness. Overachievement. Avoidance. Chronic anxiety. If you’ve ever thought, “What I went through wasn’t that bad... so why do I still feel this way?”—you’re not alone. And the answer might be trauma.

1. Trauma Isn’t Just What Happened—It’s How Your Body Responded

Trauma isn’t defined by the event. It’s defined by the impact it had on you.

Two people can go through the same experience—one might move forward with little disruption, and the other might carry invisible wounds for years. What matters is how your nervous system processed the experience, whether you felt safe, supported, and able to cope.

2. There Are “Big T” and “Little t” Traumas

“Big T” trauma includes events like:

• Physical or sexual abuse

• Natural disasters

• Major accidents

• Life-threatening experiences

“Little t” trauma includes things like:

• Emotional neglect

• Growing up with constant criticism

• Bullying

• Having a caregiver with mental illness

• Being in an unpredictable or unstable home

These smaller, repeated moments can deeply affect how we see ourselves, trust others, and manage stress.

3. Common Signs of Unresolved Trauma

You might be dealing with trauma if you experience:

• Chronic anxiety or hypervigilance

• Difficulty trusting others or forming close relationships

• People-pleasing or perfectionism

• Trouble remembering parts of your childhood

• Emotional numbness or disconnection

• Intense reactions to certain triggers or situations

You don’t have to remember every detail to know something impacted you. Your body keeps the score—even when your mind tries to move on.

4. Healing Is Possible—and Therapy Can Help

Trauma can make you feel stuck, broken, or ashamed. But those feelings are not the end of your story.

Working with a trauma-informed therapist can help you:

• Feel safe in your body again

• Build emotional resilience

• Understand your triggers

• Develop healthier relationships

• Rewrite the story you’ve been living in

Healing doesn’t mean forgetting what happened. It means reclaiming your life from its grip.

You Don’t Have to Carry It Alone at MindRight Counseling & Coaching, we help clients gently process trauma—at their pace, without pressure. We used a trauma-informed approach. Many of our counselors are trained in TBRI and some hold training and certificates in EMDR. Whether you’ve experienced a single event or a lifetime of subtle hurts, we’re here to support your healing.