LetsTalkAboutIt: What is trauma?

Trauma is when something really scary or sad happens, and it stays inside your body like a memory that keeps playing over and over.

Imagine you're eating your favorite snack, maybe chocolate chips or goldfish, and suddenly something loud and surprising happens, like the door slamming or a big dog barking. Your body gets ready for danger, just like when you're about to jump into a pool. That’s trauma starting inside you.

Sometimes, your brain keeps thinking that danger is still around, even though it's not. It's like your favorite toy was taken away, you feel sad and confused, and you might even cry or get mad.

Your body remembers the feeling of being scared, just like how you remember the taste of your favorite snack. That’s why sometimes you feel really nervous or upset even when nothing bad is happening right now, it's like your brain is playing a replay of that scary moment.