When a person has a delayed recovery to a crisis, and over-responds to a sight, a sound or a smell that reminds him of the original event, he is experiencing the trauma all over again. Experts say that people experience trauma because the tragedy destroys some underlying beliefs and assumptions about how the world should operate. Emotional trauma can be manifested in many ways, the more common being difficulty in sleeping, hyper vigilance, exaggerated startle response and distressing thoughts and nightmares. They also say that trauma is more difficult when caused by people. The victim is left unable to trust. This kind of emotional trauma is best left for experts to deal with.

Trauma may also refer to physical trauma. It is an actual physical injury that can result in complications such as shock, respiratory failure and death. As this can happen to anyone, it is a good thing for public places to be prepared with a trauma kit. Schools, offices, churches should have a kit that will contain everything from butterfly bandages to large trauma dressings. People should also be trained on how to provide first aid emergencies.