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So, now we have moved from thinking about one form of trauma to four. Trauma might be: Intrusive and disempowering, e.g., being sworn at or beaten Intrusive and falsely empowering, e.g., incest, emotional caretaking (regulating a parent) Abandoning and disempowering, e.g., “you’re unworthy,” scapegoating Abandoning and falsely empowering, e.g.,
... See moreBruce Springsteen • Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship (Goop Press)

The victim compels others to come to his rescue or to behave as he wishes by holding them hostage to the prospect of his own further illness/meltdown/mental dissolution,
Steven Pressfield • The War of Art

Any of us, when our particular place of insecurity or woundedness is touched, easily regress into the fullness of trance. At these times there seems to be no choice as to what we feel, think, say or do. Rather, we “go on automatic,” reacting in our most habitual way to defend ourselves, to cover over the rawness of our hurt.
Tara Brach • Radical Acceptance
The Haunted Self: Structural Dissociation and the Treatment of Chronic Traumatization (Norton Series on Interpersonal Neurobiology)
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What is trauma?
Trauma isn't the event itself, but rather what occurs within you because of the event. Think of a physical injury: the cut is the event, the scar is the trauma. It's the lasting impact, the fear, the emotional memory lodged in your body.
Trauma creates fear, loneliness, helplessness, and disconnects you from your true being. It leads
... See moreIn 2002 Ronnie Janoff-Bulman wrote an influential book on trauma entitled Shattered Assumptions. That title captures a lot about the nature of trauma. Trauma shatters you, but not in the places you’d expect. It rips the rug out from beneath you; it rips out the very floor beneath your feet.
Bruce Springsteen • Us: Getting Past You and Me to Build a More Loving Relationship (Goop Press)
Trauma is the response to a deeply distressing or disturbing event that overwhelms our ability to cope, causes feelings of helplessness, changes our sense of self, and diminishes our ability to feel the full range of emotions and experiences.