Coping After a Trauma . Dr. Debra Moore is a psychologist, columnist and speaker. Many types of experiences can be traumatic. Any situation in which you are exposed to actual or threatened death or serious injury is usually very traumatic.
Some traumas are a result of nature, such as floods, earthquakes, or fires.
Others result from accidents, such as automobile accidents. Still others may involve violence, such as war experiences, rape, molest, assault, or robbery. Trauma can also result from prolonged exposure to serious physical injury or illness. Witnessing pain and suffering, and often being powerless to stop it, can be very traumatizing. Family members of trauma survivors also suffer and can benefit from getting help along with the victim.