Trauma is a common occurrence these days in America. At incredibly fast speeds, programs are being closed; funding is being cut; jobs are disappearing. The loss is experienced personally or by witnessing others’ suffering. How to keep from feeling helpless with anguish pressing on our hearts? Anguish is the soul of trauma. Anguish is very hurtful, causing mental/physical pain- it is such suffering! Yet, how rarely do we use the word, anguish!

Imagine someone feeling more than one trauma symptom at a time- like anxiety and anguish. A profound and deeply disturbing event (events) that leads to a state of shock and ongoing horror, which is trauma, perhaps rising to the level of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) or not. It is terrifying either way: physically (head/stomach ache), emotionally (anguish, helplessness), and/or spiritually (against one’s values).

What if our traumatized partner is irritable and stand-offish? Do we recognize that it may be trauma? Nothing like getting a trauma check-up! We get cars, elevators, and pets checked up. How about us, children, our partners? A trauma-informed counselor, social worker, psychologist, psychiatrist can check on your trauma: “I’d like to get my trauma checked on- do you know a lot about trauma?”