They do not feel powerful enough to prevent this abandonment. Trauma is thematic and contained within specific experiences. For instance, the loss of a loved one when you are an adult is a trauma. You have access to the resources you need to grieve and heal. You can recover through therapy and with support.
Shock is therapy resistant.
It lingers after the therapeutic relationship is over. If you are stuck in patterns you have tried your best to change, the cause is most likely shock. Trauma is largely developmental, reflecting events that occurred at crucial developmental sequences. These events are generally harmful, overwhelming, and disturb relational harmony, but there are always defenses available against these experiences. Shock occurs when there are intense experiences and no defenses at all.