retraumatized

Old wound reopened

Retraumatized describes someone who has experienced fresh psychological harm from reminders or repetitions of an original trauma.

A survivor of assault may be retraumatized by insensitive questioning, or a veteran by scenes of combat: She was retraumatized by having to recount the abuse in court.

The term is common in therapeutic and advocacy contexts.

triggers

reminder

Memory aid

memoryMind's retention capacity
incidentA distinct event
eventA notable occurrence

resurface · relive · haunt · recollection · anniversary · confrontation · exposure · reencounter · disclosure · testimony

symptoms

flashbacks

Involuntary vivid memory episodes

nightmaresTerrifying sleep experiences
hypervigilanceHeightened threat sensitivity
dissociationMental separation from surroundings

panic · anxiety · intrusive · startle · avoidance · numbing · overwhelm · helplessness · insomnia · irritability

recovery

healing

Restoration of health

resilienceCapacity to recover quickly
therapyCurative mental treatment
counselingProfessional guidance for problems

support · safety · stabilization · processing · integration · self-care · boundaries · validation · empowerment · trust

context

survivor

One still alive after

victimOne harmed by another
abuseCruel or violent treatment
violenceHarmful physical force

assault · war · accident · loss · neglect · betrayal · institutional · systemic · childhood · complex

Opposites

psychological healing vs. renewed wounding

retraumatizedhealed

Returned to health

recovered · restored · rehabilitated · mended · cured

emotional safety vs. emotional harm

retraumatizedprotected

Kept from harm

safeguarded · comforted · reassured · soothed · sheltered

Family

retraumatization, retraumatize, retraumatizes, retraumatizing

Familiarity: Top 500,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Timeless · Abstract · Negative · Rated PG-13