What is trauma?

"Trauma is defined as an event more overwhelming than a person ordinarily would be expected to encounter. For example, while a divorce in the family is stressful, it would not be considered a life-threatening traumatic event. In contrast, one parent knifing the other would. Children who experience horrible external events may experience emotional harm or psychic trauma. Left untreated, all but the mildest of childhood trauma can have an impact on the child." ~http://www.aacap.org/cs/root/publication_store/your_child_childhood_trauma_and_its_effects


"Definition of Psychological Trauma and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
Trauma is defined as a physical or psychological threat or assault to a child’s physical 
integrity, sense of self, safety or survival or to the physical safety of another person
significant to the child (Vermont CUPS Handbook, p. 170).  Children may experience 
trauma as a result of a number of different circumstances" http://mentalhealth.vermont.gov/sites/dmh/files/report/cafu/DMH-CAFU_Psychological_Trauma_Moroz.pdf