Trauma is not an objective property of an event but a subjective experience created by the relationship between a present situation and past memories. Because experience is a combination of sensory input and remembered past, changing the meaning or narrative of past events can change the experience of trauma itself.

The body stores trauma even from before conscious memories form. Such events can restructure the brain's fear center (the amygdala), locking a person into a perpetual "fight or flight" state. This chronic stress response directly damages the gut barrier, leading to lifelong inflammation and digestive disorders.

Studies of children adopted before age two, who have no conscious memory of the event, reveal they have less diverse and more inflammatory gut bacteria years later. This proves the body "keeps the score" of traumatic events, embedding the stress response into our physiology and impacting long-term health.

A significant trauma often triggers an automatic, reflexive response of guilt and shame. This emotional reflex drives individuals to bury or avoid the trauma, which is the exact opposite of the communication and confrontation needed for healing.

According to neuroanatomist Dr. Jill Bolte-Taylor, the brain's left emotional system stores past pain, trauma, and addiction. This isn't a flaw; it's a protective mechanism designed to trigger reactions based on past negative events. Healing involves understanding this system, not erasing it.

Trying to eliminate trauma is counterproductive. Instead, reframe its role by acknowledging it as a protective mechanism in your left brain. Thank it for its information, then consciously shift focus to other brain regions to self-soothe and move forward.

The popular notion of "moving on" from trauma is a myth that suggests you can leave the past behind. A more realistic and healthier approach is to "move forward with it," integrating the experience into your identity. This acknowledges the permanent impact of the event while still allowing for growth and rebuilding.

Contrary to the dominant medical model, mental health issues like depression and anxiety are not illnesses. They are normal, helpful responses that act as messengers, signaling an underlying problem or unresolved trauma that needs to be addressed rather than a chemical imbalance to be suppressed.

Trauma's definition should be tied to its outcome: any permanent change in behavior from an adverse event. This reframing allows for "positive trauma," where a difficult experience forces you to adapt and establish a new, higher-performing baseline, ultimately making you better off.