ABSTRACT
Human creation and existence embodies a series of rupture and repair and one that is inherently traumatic. Trauma is a universal experience, manifests in many forms, and is defined as something that happens to an individual or a group; it is further explained as isolated, or cumulative and persistent. There are physiological, physical, psychological, cognitive, emotional, and social implications to traumatic experiences that are well documented throughout clinical literature. Trauma is considered something that happens to a person, and traditionally is understood on a continuum of small “t” through large “T” to define events that challenge one’s ability to optimally function. For example, an ongoing fight with a spouse might be considered a small “t,” and a natural disaster, a large “T.” Different traumatic experiences may evoke a variety of responses but seem to have a similar effect on the biological and physiological systems that manage their impact.
