Sunday, April 5, 2009

Trauma

The word trauma is from the Greek Τραύμα, meaning "wound".

The current definition of the word means a wound in two senses; one emotional and one physical.
The OED gives these meanings;
1. Path. A wound, or external bodily injury in general; also the condition caused by this; traumatism.
2. a. Psychoanalysis and Psychiatry. A psychic injury, esp. one caused by emotional shock the memory of which is repressed and remains unhealed; an internal injury, esp. to the brain, which may result in a behavioural disorder of organic origin. Also, the state or condition so caused.

So definition 1 is predominately physical, while the second is a mental shock.

*all etymology and definitions provided by the OED

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