Take It from a Trauma Therapist
If you’re feeling traumatized, it’s probably because you are!
I’m writing here about the Trump regime as perpetrators of individual and “collective” trauma. And, ways in which our resistance to the regime supports mental wellbeing as well as democracy.
To be clear, I’m not writing in my capacity as a therapist, only as someone seeing what’s happening through a trauma lens. If you’re reading this and struggling with depression, anxiety or just getting through a day, consider getting professional help. There are some resources below. +
Trauma and “Collective” Trauma
Ordinarily when we refer to trauma, we’re talking about childhood abuse, violence and threats of violence, rape, combat, abandonment/forced separation, an accident or natural disaster impacting an individual or a small number of people.++ Trauma may be a one-time event or prolonged. It may or may not lead to a prolonged stress response like PTSD.
You may have heard the term “collective trauma,” a useful sociological term that emerged during the pandemic. Collective trauma refers to a mass, societal or even global event such as war, pandemic, terrorism, slavery, political oppression or mass violence.++
Trauma, whether personal or collective, is disruptive, overwhelming, and often terrifying, horrific and isolating. While personal trauma turns a person’s world upside down, collective trauma turns entire societies upside down.
Another important distinction: The type of trauma matters. Interpersonal trauma (person to person) is more pernicious than trauma as a result of natural disaster or accident.
The intention to do harm is especially damaging because it destroys the bonds between us. When we stop trusting others, we become isolated and alone.
Demonstrator in New York City, Adam Gray, NY Times
Perpetrators of Trauma
This regime is perpetrating trauma and it’s intentional. Just look at their language and actions.
Let’s start with our “Perpetrator in Chief,” the world’s most powerful man, a sex abuser and convicted felon who surrounds himself with like-minded men and talks like a mobster.
The regime came with a plan of “shock and awe,” to cow opponents and force hard-right ideology on Day 1. It’s a military term meaning the use of overwhelming force to paralyze an enemy into helplessness. To submit without a fight.
The “enemy” is fellow Americans.
“Shock” also describes one’s state in the aftermath of physical or psychological trauma.
It’s often said of this regime: “Cruelty is the point.” Yes it is.
Russell Vought, Project 2025 architect, said of the federal workforce (30% of whom are veterans): “We want the bureaucrats to be traumatically affected… we want to put them in trauma.” Now Director of the Office of Management and Budget, he oversees the administration of government agencies.
Imagine finding yourself with a new manager whose aim is to traumatize you.
And, it’s worked. Arbitrary firings, bullying, and ongoing denigration of federal workers have lead to mental health struggles and suicides according to KFF Health News.
Targeting immigrants, we see gangs of masked ICE thugs beating and carting away people with no due process and without consequences for their brutality. Kristi Noem, Director of Homeland [In]security, posing in front of caged men in CECOT, a notorious El Salvador prison threatening undocumented immigrants: you could be next.
Trump later joked about the “homegrowns” being next. They chuckled in the Oval Office. They arrested a mayor, a congresswoman and a U.S. senator. The message is that no one is safe.
It’s all designed to instill terror!
Timothy Snyder, expert in tyrannical governments, uses the term “incipient state terror.”
This is what we are fighting!
State Terror and Mental [Un]Health
State terror is ubiquitous, it surrounds you! At its worst, state terror fosters mistrust at all levels, turning family members and friends into informants. It squashes hope, demands obedience, and fosters fear and helplessness. Over time, it also changes societies.
Social isolation, mistrust of others, blind obedience and feelings of helplessness and hopelessness are not only antithetical to mental wellbeing; most are actually signs and symptoms of depression.
Hartford, CT 6/14/2025
The Resistance
Looking to the Declaration of Independence, we’re fighting for “Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” In other words, democracy and mental wellbeing. Our own and others’.
We do this:
By joining together in community to take action: We are NOT alone and we are NOT helpless! We don’t need to agree on everything. Just the Constitution. As the chant goes, “When we fight, we win.” It’s the only way we win.
By building bonds of trust: In resisting, we work together. We show up for each other and we build trust across demographic groups.
By not obeying: We refuse to be obedient. We protest, boycott, persistently call out their lies, mock them, challenge them in court and engage in all peaceful forms of civil disobedience.
With shared purpose and meaning. The founders warned about tyranny, political corruption and would-be kings. This is OUR moment in the country’s 250th year to stand up for the Constitution and the country.
Whether you have a patriot relative who served in the Continental Army, you’re a naturalized citizen or hope to become one, we’re in this together!
+ Mental Health Resources:
National Suicide Prevention Lifeline number: Dial 988 or 1-800-273-TALK
Guides for picking a therapist: 1/ https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-find-a-therapist 2/ https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/10-questions-to-ask-when-choosing-a-therapist
Sources to find a therapist: 1/ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/therapists 2/
https://www.goodtherapy.org/
EMDR therapist: https://www.emdria.org/find-an-emdr-therapist/
Check out Alison Gill’s tips for protesting if you have PTSD or anxiety:
++ Not limited to examples provided
We can’t give up!!