Trauma is a term to describe a variety of psychological and bodily complaints that follow from a negative life-threatening event. Examples of traumatic experiences are:

• witnessing or being the victim of violence,
• war experiences,
• severe sickness,
• the death of a loved one,
• traffic accidents,
• participation in a violent conflict.

Consequences of a traumatic event
Unresolved traumatic experiences cause a variety of clearly recognizable symptons, which are summarized in the concept "Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)".

• Intrusions
  Involuntary associations with the traumatic event that are paired with anxiety (e.g. in the form of images, nightmares or flashbacks)
• Avoidance / Emotional numbness
  Avoidance of stimuli (things and situations) that remind of the trauma, overall withdrawal, loss of interest, low motivation.
• Hyper Arousal
  Sleeping problems, easily startled, easily exited, problems concentrating.

Other common consequences are feelings of guilt and shame and intense brooding, how one could have prevented the event or how one could have dealt with it differently. The number, severity and duration of symptoms vary from person to person and depend on the nature of the event.

Interapy is not just appropriate for people who experience all symptoms of PTSD. In principle, everyone who experienced a traumatic event and who suffers from it may benefit from treatment. Postraumatic stress disorder can be treated well, although the treatment requires a high commitment on the part of the clients.