Trauma stays in the body even when the mind already knows it’s over. In therapy, the nervous system can learn that the danger has passed.
A traumatic event — a terror attack, war, an accident, a sudden loss, violence or sexual assault — can leave a mark that keeps affecting you long after the event itself is over. At the clinic we work at your pace, without pushing for the full story before there is a sense of safety.
What is trauma?
In moments of danger the nervous system switches into a survival mode of fight, flight or freeze. When the event is over, the system sometimes stays “on alert”: the body keeps reacting as if the danger were still present. This is how flashbacks, nightmares, hyperarousal, sleep difficulties and avoidance of places and reminders of the event develop. This is not weakness but an understandable response of a system that tried to protect you.
When to seek help
Recognising the signs and knowing when help can make a difference
If a month or more after the event the symptoms persist or get worse, if you avoid places and people, have trouble sleeping, startle at noises, or feel disconnected from yourself and those around you — it’s worth reaching out. In Israel there are also dedicated services for people affected by anxiety and trauma related to security events, as well as the ERAN emotional first-aid line on 1201 for an immediate conversation at any hour.
Types of trauma responses
Acute stress reaction (ASD)
An acute stress reaction appears in the first days and weeks after the event and includes anxiety, confusion, dissociation, difficulty sleeping and recurring thoughts. In most cases it settles on its own with the right support. Early intervention helps prevent post-traumatic stress from developing.
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
Post-traumatic stress disorder is diagnosed when symptoms last more than a month and affect functioning. It includes re-experiencing the event, avoidance, negative changes in thinking and mood, and hyperarousal. There are trauma-focused treatments with proven effectiveness, and improvement is possible even years after the event.
Complex trauma (C-PTSD)
Complex trauma develops after prolonged, repeated exposure to harm, usually within a close relationship and over a long period. Beyond the symptoms of post-traumatic stress, it affects emotional regulation, self-worth and the ability to trust others. Treatment takes longer and focuses first and foremost on building trust.
Secondary trauma
Secondary trauma develops in people exposed to the suffering of others — therapists, medical staff, rescue services, social workers and family caregivers. The symptoms resemble those of post-traumatic stress, together with burnout and a sense of helplessness. A therapeutic space makes it possible to process the exposure and restore boundaries.
Security-related trauma
Exposure to war, terror attacks, sirens and emergencies is part of Israeli reality, and it sometimes accumulates over years. Reactions range from constant vigilance to avoiding leaving the house. It’s important to know that you may be entitled to recognition and assistance, and that help is also available through welfare services and the health funds.
Childhood trauma
Difficult events in childhood — neglect, violence, the loss of a parent or abuse — keep affecting adult life even when the memory is only partial. They sometimes show up as difficulties in relationships, harsh self-criticism or ongoing anxiety. Therapy makes it possible to connect the present with the past and release patterns that have remained since then.