skip to main content

APA 2024 registration is now open! Register today to save.

• APA.org
• APA Style
• APA Services
• Divisions

• About APA
• Events
• Membership
• Join APA

• Help
• MyAPA
• (Log Out)
• Log In
• Cart

[American Psychological Association Logo+][American Psychological Association Logo+]

• Menu
• Topics

  Topics in Psychology

  Explore how scientific research by psychologists can inform our professional lives, family and community relationships, emotional wellness, and more.

  Popular Topics

  • ADHD
  • Anger
  • Anxiety
  • Bullying
  • Implicit Bias
  • Mental Health
  • Misinformation and Disinformation
  • Personality
  • Racism, Bias, and Discrimination
  • Resilience
  • Sexual Orientation and Gender Diversity
  • Social media
  • Socioeconomic Status
  • Stress
  • Substance Use, Abuse and Addiction
  • Trauma

  Highlights

  [tween girl looking at tablet computer+] Social media and youth
  APA calls on social media companies to protect youth
  New report focuses on design features and platform functions inherently unsafe for developing brains
  
  

  [Older adult viewing webpage+] Misinformation and Disinformation
  Using psychology to fight misinformation
  Report lists eight recommendations for scientists, policymakers, and others to meet the ongoing risk to health, well-being, and civic life
  
  

  All Topics

• Publications & Databases

  Publications and Databases

  APA Publishing products and resources that support research, education, practice and general wellbeing.

  Publication & Databases

  • APA Style
  • Books
  • Children’s Books
  • Databases
  • Digital Learning
  • Journals
  • Magazine
  • Videos

  APA Publishing Resources

  • Librarians
  • Authors, Editors, and Reviewers
  • Educators and Students
  • Exam Copies

  Search APA Databases

  Over 5.4 million journal articles, abstracts, books on APA PsycNet

  Search APA Psycnet

  Access fees may apply

  All publications and databases

• Research & Practice

  Research and Practice

  Tools for psychologists to do their jobs every day.

  Your Growth

  • Conducting Research
  • Faculty Development
  • Financial Wellness
  • Grants and Funding
  • Leadership
  • Mentorship
  • Open Science
  • Peer Review
  • Practice Management
  • Publishing and Presenting Research
  • Self-Care
  • Teaching Psychology
  • Telepsychology

  Standards & Guidelines

  • Ethics Code
  • Standards and Guidelines
  • APA Policies

  Member Exclusives

  All research and practice

• Education & Career

  Education and Career

  Resources for students, teachers and psychologists at all levels to explore career growth in psychology.

  Education

  • Pre-K to 12
  • Undergraduate Psychology
  • Apply to Grad School
  • Succeed in Grad School
  • Accreditation

  Careers

  • Become a Psychologist
  • Job Search
  • Manage Your Career
  • Continuing Education
  • Training & Webinars

  Find a job on PsycCareers

  Job

  e.g., Clinical Psychologist

  Locations

  e.g., Washington DC or 20002

  Find

  Search Jobs

  Training Highlights

  [Science Training Sessions+] Upcoming Programs
  Science Training Sessions
  
  

  [Woman holding her notebook and smiling+] Sponsored topical webinar
  Billing breakthroughs: Strategies for recession-proof practices
  
  

  All education and career

• News & Advocacy

  News and Advocacy

  Browse the latest updates from APA, informed by psychological science.

  News

  • Monitor on Psychology Magazine
  • Speaking of Psychology Podcast
  • Press Room
  • Psychology in the Media
  • Newsletters

  Highlights

  [Arthur C. Evans Jr., PhD, receiving his Society of Biological Psychiatry’s Humanitarian Award+] APA CEO receives humanitarian award
  
  

  [Man looking at his phone and holding a slice of pizza+] Why do we overindulge?
  
  

  Advocacy

  [Lady smiling+] Support psychology. Improve lives.
  Take action with APA Services, our companion professional organization.
  
  

  All News and advocacy

• About APA
• Events
• Membership

Home Psychology topics

Trauma

[young woman comforting a member of her support group+]

Trauma is an emotional response to a terrible event like an accident, crime, natural disaster, physical or emotional abuse, neglect, experiencing or witnessing violence, death of a loved one, war, and more. Immediately after the event, shock and denial are typical. Longer term reactions include unpredictable emotions, flashbacks, strained relationships, and even physical symptoms like headaches or nausea.

While these feelings are normal, some people have difficulty moving on with their lives. Psychologists can help them find constructive ways of managing their emotions.

Adapted from Recovering emotionally from disaster

Coping with the trauma of war in the Middle East