Trauma can take many forms and doesn't always come from a single dramatic event. For some, it traces back to childhood — growing up with parents or caregivers who were neglectful or emotionally unavailable, leaving lasting imprints on how they relate to themselves and others. For others, it's intergenerational, carried forward as patterns, beliefs, or coping responses passed down through family lines long before they were born. And for many, trauma shows up through sudden disruptions like motor vehicle accidents or other distressing life events, which can continue to affect a person's nervous system and sense of safety long after the incident itself has passed.