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126 Psychological Trauma Essay Topic Ideas & Examples

Inside This Article

Psychological trauma is a common and widespread issue that affects millions of people around the world. Trauma can result from a wide range of experiences, such as physical or emotional abuse, natural disasters, accidents, or witnessing violence. It can have a profound impact on a person's mental health and well-being, leading to symptoms like anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other psychological disorders.

If you are looking for inspiration for an essay on psychological trauma, here are 126 topic ideas and examples to consider:

• The impact of childhood trauma on adult mental health
• The psychological effects of domestic violence on survivors
• Trauma and its effects on brain development
• The role of resilience in overcoming trauma
• Trauma and its connection to substance abuse
• The impact of trauma on relationships and social connections
• Trauma and its effects on physical health
• The psychological effects of natural disasters on survivors
• Trauma and its connection to homelessness
• The role of therapy in treating trauma survivors
• The impact of trauma on children's development
• Trauma and its effects on memory
• The psychological effects of war and conflict on survivors
• Trauma and its connection to self-harm and suicidal ideation
• The role of mindfulness and meditation in healing from trauma
• Trauma and its effects on sleep and nightmares
• The psychological effects of sexual assault on survivors
• Trauma and its connection to eating disorders
• The impact of trauma on academic performance and achievement
• Trauma and its effects on personality development
• The role of art therapy in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its connection to PTSD
• The psychological effects of bullying on survivors
• Trauma and its effects on self-esteem and self-worth
• The impact of trauma on social skills and communication
• Trauma and its connection to phobias and anxiety disorders
• The role of exercise and physical activity in healing from trauma
• Trauma and its effects on emotional regulation
• The psychological effects of car accidents on survivors
• Trauma and its connection to chronic pain and physical symptoms
• The impact of trauma on trust and intimacy in relationships
• Trauma and its effects on cognitive abilities and decision-making
• The role of medication in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its connection to dissociative disorders
• The psychological effects of medical trauma on survivors
• Trauma and its effects on parenting and child-rearing
• The impact of trauma on career choices and job performance
• Trauma and its connection to perfectionism and control issues
• The role of spirituality and religion in healing from trauma
• Trauma and its effects on body image and self-perception
• The psychological effects of natural disasters on first responders
• Trauma and its connection to survivor guilt and shame
• The impact of trauma on social support and community resources
• Trauma and its effects on sexual identity and orientation
• The role of family therapy in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its connection to cultural identity and heritage
• The psychological effects of military trauma on veterans
• Trauma and its effects on risk-taking behaviors and impulsivity
• The impact of trauma on coping mechanisms and defense mechanisms
• Trauma and its connection to attachment styles and relationships
• The role of group therapy in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its effects on emotional intelligence and empathy
• The psychological effects of workplace trauma on employees
• Trauma and its connection to codependency and enabling behaviors
• The impact of trauma on body language and nonverbal communication
• Trauma and its effects on social justice and advocacy
• The role of trauma-informed care in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its connection to cultural trauma and historical trauma
• The psychological effects of medical trauma on healthcare providers
• Trauma and its effects on social norms and expectations
• The impact of trauma on coping skills and resilience
• Trauma and its connection to personality disorders
• The role of trauma narratives in healing from trauma
• Trauma and its effects on emotional boundaries and self-care
• The psychological effects of community trauma on residents
• Trauma and its connection to institutional trauma and systemic oppression
• The impact of trauma on creativity and artistic expression
• Trauma and its effects on body language and posture
• The role of animal-assisted therapy in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its connection to intergenerational trauma and family systems
• The psychological effects of environmental trauma on survivors
• Trauma and its effects on emotional regulation and impulse control
• The impact of trauma on social identity and group dynamics
• Trauma and its connection to self-compassion and self-forgiveness
• The role of narrative therapy in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its effects on social media use and online behavior
• The psychological effects of financial trauma on survivors
• Trauma and its connection to cultural appropriation and identity theft
• The impact of trauma on gender identity and expression
• Trauma and its effects on body awareness and somatic experiencing
• The role of dance therapy in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its connection to racial trauma and microaggressions
• The psychological effects of technological trauma on survivors
• Trauma and its effects on social isolation and loneliness
• The impact of trauma on community resources and support systems
• Trauma and its connection to toxic relationships and abusive dynamics
• The role of exposure therapy in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its effects on emotional intimacy and vulnerability
• The psychological effects of natural disasters on animals and pets
• Trauma and its connection to emotional neglect and abandonment
• The impact of trauma on social justice movements and activism
• Trauma and its effects on grief and loss
• The role of play therapy in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its connection to environmental justice and climate change
• The psychological effects of political trauma on survivors
• Trauma and its effects on emotional boundaries and assertiveness
• The impact of trauma on social hierarchies and power dynamics
• Trauma and its connection to intercultural communication and conflict resolution
• The role of attachment theory in treating trauma survivors
• Trauma and its effects on body image and self-esteem
• The psychological effects of medical trauma on patients
• Trauma and its connection to narrative identity and storytelling
• The impact of trauma on community resilience and recovery
• Trauma and its effects on social media activism and advocacy

These topic ideas and examples can serve as a starting point for writing an essay on psychological trauma. Whether you are exploring the effects of trauma on an individual, a community, or society as a whole, there are countless ways to approach this complex and important topic. By delving into the psychological, emotional, social, and cultural aspects of trauma, you can gain a deeper understanding of its impact and explore ways to promote healing, resilience, and recovery.

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Childhood Trauma - Free Essay Samples And Topic Ideas

Childhood Trauma refers to distressing or harmful experiences that happen to children, which may have long-lasting effects on their emotional and physical well-being. Essays could delve into the types of childhood trauma, its short and long-term impacts, intervention strategies, and how support systems can mitigate its adverse effects. We’ve gathered an extensive assortment of free essay samples on the topic of Childhood Trauma you can find at Papersowl. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Children Development

Anyone can experience trauma at any time. The trauma can be caused by nature, human beings or by oneself. People endure much when they experience trauma and their ability to handle it can determine the level of the effect of the trauma and their long-term well-being. Reportedly, children are incredibly susceptible to trauma because their brain and coping skills are still developing. Thus, they often grapple with long terms effects of uncontrolled trauma. While childhood trauma may vary regarding pervasiveness […]

Effects of Childhood Trauma on Development and Adulthood

It is no secret that experiencing childhood trauma can have many negative effects on an individual’s life both in childhood and adulthood. Trauma can include events such as physical or sexual abuse, surviving a serious car accident, witnessing a violent event, and more. As trauma is defined in the dictionary as a deeply distressing or disturbing experience, it is no surprise that a disturbing event during childhood can have negative effects throughout an individual’s lifetime. However, this paper will dive […]

Foster Care System Pros and Cons

"Foster care as a whole has become a broken and corrupt system that can no longer keep kids safe under its care. Everyday children are being placed in foster homes facing different forms of abuse, unloving parents, and even death. The system has only progressively gotten worse leaving behind children traumatized to a point where no amount of love or therapy can fix them. To inaugurate, the biggest issue with foster care is the inadequate placement of children in the […]

We will write an essay sample crafted to your needs.

Childhood Sexual Abuse – Preceding Hypersexualized Behavior

Hypersexual behavior is differentiated from paraphilia, or sexually deviant behavior, based on the criteria that hypersexual behaviors still fall within socially normal sexual activities (Kafka, 2010). Paraphilia refers to activities that do not fall within reasonably expected behavior, such as sexual interest in children or non-living entities (DSM-V, 2013). Both are defined as intense and frequent sexual behaviors that bring distress or other unintended negative consequences. This report looks at childhood sexual abuse, commonly referred to as CSA, in terms […]

Traumatic Childhood Memories

Most people are well aware of the concept of repression before ever stepping foot into a psychology class. The notion that a memory can be recalled after years of ignorance is a commonplace assumption, bringing with it the further assumption that it is a well-proven theory with the backing of researchers of psychology. Upon closer scrutiny, both the definition of and support for repression are seen as they truly are—complicated and controversial. The theory of repression originated with Jean-Martin Charcot […]

The Consequences of Homelessness – a Childhood on the Streets

“A therapeutic intervention with homeless children (2) often confronts us with wounds our words cannot dress nor reach. These young subjects seem prey to reenactments of a horror they cannot testify to” (Schweidson & Janeiro 113). According to Marcal, a stable environment and involved parenting are essential regarding ability to provide a healthy growing environment for a child (350). It is unfortunate then, that Bassuk et al. state that 2.5 million, or one in every 30 children in America are […]

Multiple Iimitations in Childhood

The researchers mentioned multiple limitations. While all the children in the study showed improved classroom compliance after implementation of the child play sessions, these changes were limited in a few of the children due to inconsistent compliance issues. Also, the changes made between the baseline and treatment phases was difficult to distinguish because this was a nonclinical sample and some of the children at baseline had only minor compliance issues. Future research should include post-intervention follow-up measures to provide an […]

Resilience through Childhood Trauma Shadows: Understanding and Healing

Within the intricate tapestry of human experience, the canvas of childhood unfurls as a pivotal chapter—a realm where innocence dances with curiosity, shaping the contours of the individuals we're destined to become. Yet, for some, this idyllic canvas is stained with the inky shadows of childhood trauma, casting a pall over the vibrant hues of youth and echoing through the corridors of time. Childhood trauma, a spectral presence, manifests in myriad forms. It is not merely the jagged edges of […]

Reimagining Childhood Trauma: a Psychologist’s Perspective

Childhood trauma, a labyrinthine phenomenon, often evokes conventional responses from psychologists. However, as practitioners, it is incumbent upon us to explore unconventional perspectives that may shed new light on this intricate subject. Traditionally, childhood trauma has been viewed through a lens of pathology, emphasizing its detrimental effects on mental health. While this perspective is undeniably valuable, it overlooks the resilience and adaptive capacities inherent in human nature. Instead of focusing solely on the scars left by trauma, let us consider […]

Childhood Trauma Unveiled: the Resilience and Redemption of Beth Thomas

Beth Thomas, a name that may not ring a bell for many, carries a story of resilience, transformation, and the power of compassion. Born in 1960, Beth's early life was marked by unimaginable challenges that would have left most broken. However, her journey from a traumatic childhood to a life of purpose is nothing short of remarkable. Growing up in Oklahoma, Beth Thomas experienced a childhood marred by abuse and neglect. Her parents, overwhelmed by their own struggles, failed to […]

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How To Write an Essay About Childhood Trauma

Introduction to the complexity of childhood trauma.

Writing an essay about childhood trauma involves addressing a deeply sensitive and complex subject that has profound psychological and social implications. In your introduction, begin by defining childhood trauma, which can include experiences of abuse, neglect, witnessing violence, or enduring severe hardship. Emphasize the lasting impact these experiences can have on an individual’s development, mental health, and overall well-being. This introductory section should provide a foundation for exploring the various dimensions of childhood trauma, including its causes, symptoms, and long-term effects. It should sensitively set the stage for an in-depth analysis of this critical issue.

Examining the Causes and Manifestations of Childhood Trauma

In the body of your essay, delve into the various causes of childhood trauma. This can range from personal experiences such as physical or emotional abuse, to broader societal issues like war, poverty, or discrimination. Discuss the immediate and long-term psychological effects of trauma on children, which can manifest as anxiety, depression, behavioral issues, or difficulties in forming relationships. It’s important to base your analysis on research and studies in psychology and child development. The purpose of this section is to provide a comprehensive understanding of how childhood trauma occurs and its immediate impact on a child's life.

Long-Term Effects and Coping Mechanisms

Focus on the long-term effects of childhood trauma and the coping mechanisms individuals might develop. Explore how early traumatic experiences can shape personality, affect emotional regulation, and influence patterns of behavior into adulthood. Discuss the concept of resilience and the factors that contribute to positive outcomes in spite of traumatic experiences. This part of the essay should also consider the various therapeutic approaches used to support individuals with a history of childhood trauma, emphasizing the potential for healing and growth. Highlight the importance of early intervention and continued support for those affected by childhood trauma.

Concluding Thoughts on Addressing Childhood Trauma

Conclude your essay by summarizing the key points about the complexities and impacts of childhood trauma. Reflect on the importance of awareness, education, and societal support in addressing and preventing childhood trauma. Emphasize the role of communities, educators, healthcare professionals, and policymakers in creating environments that support the mental and emotional well-being of children. Your conclusion should not only provide closure to your essay but also encourage further thought and action on this crucial issue, underscoring the collective responsibility to protect and nurture the well-being of children.

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The Impact of Trauma on a Human Being Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

The effect of trauma on the human brain, the expected behaviors and symptoms of trauma, prevalence of trauma in society, treatments available for people who have experienced trauma, risk factors associated with experiencing trauma, the long-term impacts of trauma.

Trauma is an ever-growing topic of interest that has garnered much research and debate over its effects on the human psyche. Discerning the extent and scope of trauma-induced alterations can provide invaluable insights into our perceptions of suffering, empathy, and resilience. The paper explores how a comprehensive understanding of trauma can inspire new ways of managing its effects and create a foundation for more effective support systems.

Trauma plays a significant role in altering the psychological and physiological functioning of the human brain. Studies show that traumatic experiences can cause brain structural, functional, biochemical, and cognitive changes. Symptoms of trauma-related brain damage include difficulty with memory, anxiety, depression, insomnia, fatigue, fear, aggression, substance abuse, and avoidance of specific triggers or situations (Wilson et al., 2020). Functionally, trauma can lead to increased stress hormones such as cortisol and epinephrine, which can cause dysregulated arousal, poor executive functioning, and impaired decision-making. Structurally, trauma can cause changes in neural plasticity, cerebral blood flow, white matter integrity, and a decrease in the amygdala and hippocampus size.

Trauma is a psychological condition that can manifest itself in many visible and invisible ways. Common behaviors and symptoms of trauma include increased heart rate, muscle tension, difficulty concentrating, intrusive memories, avoidance of reminders of the event, hypervigilance, irritability, flashbacks, difficulty sleeping, difficulty trusting others, feeling on guard, and feelings of helplessness (Mundy et al., 2022).

Trauma is a highly prevalent issue in society. According to the CDC, approximately one in four adults in the United States has experienced trauma (Fraser et al., 2019). Additionally, research estimates that about 8% of adults in the US have experienced Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) within the past year. Trauma is a significant health problem that affects millions of people worldwide. Studies indicate that approximately one in four adults have experienced a traumatic event at some point in their lives, and it is estimated that up to 70% of people will experience a traumatic event at some point in their lifetime (Mundi et al., 2022). Ethnic/racial minority populations are disproportionately impacted by trauma and related conditions. Treatment modalities for trauma-induced brain damage may include pharmacological therapies, psychotherapies, and lifestyle modifications, which can help reduce or reverse the adverse changes caused by trauma in the brain.

There is a range of treatments available for people who have experienced trauma. Psychotherapy is often the first line of treatment and can help people process and cope with their traumatic experiences. Medication, such as antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs, may also be prescribed to help manage symptoms. Additionally, research has found that several types of mind-body therapies effectively treat trauma-related symptoms.

Trauma can have a dramatic and long-lasting impact on people’s functioning and well-being. Research has established that the most effective treatments for trauma include cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), EMDR, exposure therapy, mindfulness, relaxation techniques such as yoga or acupuncture, and medication. CBT helps people recognize and challenge unhelpful thinking and behavior patterns, and EMDR works to reprocess traumatic events and change how they are stored in memory (Fraser et al., 2019). Exposure therapy gradually builds up an individual’s tolerance to traumatic reminders. Mindfulness is especially useful for emotional regulation, relaxation techniques help individuals to become more centered and calm, and medication may be necessary if symptoms are severe.

There are a variety of risk factors associated with experiencing trauma. People who have experienced a traumatic event in the past are more likely to experience subsequent traumas. Other risk factors include mental illness, poverty, homelessness, and limited access to resources. Additionally, a supportive social network can reduce the likelihood of traumatic experiences.

The long-term impacts of trauma can be far-reaching and vary from person to person. In addition to physical and psychological consequences, trauma can harm an individual’s social and work life. People may struggle to trust others and feel isolated or disconnected from others. Additionally, individuals may suffer from chronic health problems, such as high blood pressure, kidney disease, diabetes, and chronic pain.

Trauma has long-term impacts that can manifest in a variety of ways. These can range from psychological and physical consequences to changes in functioning and behavior and cause cognitive and physical functioning changes, including an impaired ability to concentrate, changes in memory and cognition, headaches, chronic pain, and other physical ailments (Mundy et al., 2022). Its long-term effects can impact both adults and children, but children and adolescents, in particular, are particularly vulnerable due to their still-developing brains.

In conclusion, the review of the effects of trauma on a human being has yielded several valuable insights. It was clarified that extreme exposure to traumatic events could cause long-term physical and psychological changes, and explored how this knowledge may lead us to more effective support systems. Ultimately, a greater understanding of the impact of trauma is essential to address it effectively and bring relief to those affected. We hope this essay helps achieve such understanding and empowers individuals to find the strength to overcome their struggles.

Fraser, E. E., Downing, M. G., Biernacki, K., McKenzie, D. P., & Ponsford, J. L. (2019). Cognitive Reserve and Age Predict Cognitive Recovery after Mild to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury. Journal of Neurotrauma, 36( 19), 2753–2761.

Mundy, J., Hübel, C., Gelernter, J., Levey, D., Murray, R. M., Skelton, M. & Coleman, J. R. (2022). Psychological trauma and the genetic overlap between posttraumatic stress disorder and major depressive disorder. Psychological Medicine, 52 (16), 3975-3984.

Wilson, L., Horton, L., Kunzmann, K., Sahakian, B. J., Newcombe, V. F., Stamatakis, E. A., & Menon, D. (2020). Understanding the relationship between cognitive performance and function in daily life after traumatic brain injury. Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery & Psychiatry .

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Writers in the Storm

A blog about writing.

4 Ways To Write The Lived Experience Of Trauma

by Lisa Hall Wilson

Trauma can create great internal, external, and interpersonal conflict, but readers are not interested in clinical definitions or objective recitations of symptoms. Trauma needs to be more than emotion-theatre. It should make your character’s journey more difficult and be specific to the journey ahead of them.

If you can take out the backstory, the flashbacks, and the character remains unchanged, maybe you don’t need to use trauma in your story. Stephen King wrote that fiction is the truth inside a lie.

Be honest about living with trauma. Entertain with your fiction, but be honest about the lived experience of trauma.

What Is Trauma?

We misuse the term “trauma” all the time in regular conversation. When many people say they struggle with “trauma” they mean they were betrayed, disappointed, embarrassed, ashamed, hurt, sad, grieving – whatever. These are legitimate emotional hurts that can FEEL traumatic, but this is not what is meant by mental health professionals when they talk of trauma.

Trauma is ubiquitous, but it’s also specific. Trauma is any event or situation where a person feels overwhelmed, helpless (loss of agency, voice, autonomy, mobility, hope), a sense of horror, sustains a serious injury, or perceives a threat of serious injury or death. Trauma is a visceral experience.

Trauma is a failure of recovery.

Everyone experiences things that are troubling or hurtful, and that haunt them. Everyone. But not everyone struggles with depression, anxiety, eating disorders, borderline personality disorder (BPD), PTSD, c-PTSD, bipolar disorder, dissociation, panic disorder, agoraphobia, suicide ideation, self-isolation, etc.

These are the real-world consequences of trauma. There’s an escalation of harm, of injury, a sense of being “stuck” or “broken” that is intrinsic to struggling with and managing trauma; an inability to “just get over it.” Be honest!

The Lived Experience Of Trauma

Most people will do almost anything to avoid being reminded of the worst moment of their life. These are not the sorts of things people navel-gaze over. They don’t reminisce about that time they almost died. They don’t share the nightmares or night terrors they relive every night with friends.  Instead, they avoid going to sleep, they medicate in order to sleep, they have poor sleep because their brains won’t allow them to reach deep restorative sleep.

Follow that thread.

What other consequences would one face if chronically exhausted? There are medical conditions, attention, and focus problems. They’re probably prone to overreacting. They may be forgetful, accident-prone, and/or make a lot of errors. They may self-medicate to mitigate these issues, chugging cups and cups of coffee and then drinking themselves to sleep at night for instance.

Show the reaction to the emotions the memory brings up, rather than have your character THINK about the emotion they feel.

“Trauma comes back as a reaction, not a memory.” ~Bessel Van Der Kolk

Writing Tips for Trauma

Instead of your character spending time thinking about their trauma; instead of writing out all that backstory or flashbacks, show what they avoid.

Where don’t they feel safe? What lengths do they go to in order to feel safe? Some people need to have their backs against a wall so no one can sneak up on them. What clothes do they wear to avoid feeling a certain way, to avoid attracting certain looks or certain kinds of attention? Maybe it’s the opposite, and they wear certain clothes in order to attract attention. Do they react to a hard day by hooking up with the first available prospect disregarding their own personal safety – compulsively?

The reader will pick up on how this behavior is about something else that’s happened in the past.

There have been studies done on young men who suffered abuse by priests as young boys. Those who struggle with anxiety (of any sort) often become gym rats because they don’t ever want to be overpowered again. This obsessive need to be strong is the reaction, but they may deny what happened, avoid anywhere that reminds them of what happened, and many won’t talk about what happened.

We FEEL Trauma, We Don’t Dwell On Memories

Our brains don’t record memories like a director films a movie. Our brains crave context, continuity, and closure. So, trauma memories appear unreliable because events are recorded with skips and gaps. Details that are too overwhelming may not be remembered in the moment, but come back after days or months. Things that are too overwhelming might be recorded initially, but then forgotten in time.

You can use the unreliable and faulty function of memory to show a character with past trauma. They may believe they’re crazy, or struggle to trust their own memory of what happened and question everything. They may obsessively seek to create a narrative about what happened or use other sources to fill in what they can’t remember or don’t want to be true.

For those who’ve had troubling experiences, those emotions and memories will often fade over time. But those struggling with trauma will involuntarily relive those trauma emotions over and over and over. Many trauma survivors describe it as a movie in their brain that they can't stop playing.

So anytime the character feels vulnerable for instance, instead of THINKING about how vulnerable they feel, or how this moment feels a lot like that trauma moment, show the reaction instead. 

• Do they immediately reach for alcohol?
• Do they punish themselves (because in some way they blame themselves for what happened) by doing three extra laps around the block when jogging?
• Do they abruptly leave, or constantly cancel?

Jessica Jones is one character where this coping/denial spiral is very clear. The Netflix show Unbelieveable captures this aspect of memory with compelling realism.

Choosing Trauma Details

[ Trigger Alert: Detailed trauma in this section. (Labeled for ease of reading.)]

I have watched and read a lot of survivor accounts of various types of trauma: holocaust, domestic violence, natural disasters, car accidents, victims of crime and abuse, terrorist attacks, etc.

The brain captures those details that aren’t as they should be. What is out of place, what is wrong, and the implication of those out-of-place things will be highly upsetting (not forgetting the sense of hopelessness and the real or perceived threat of injury or death).

One holocaust survivor recalled being discovered by the Nazis. She hid, but her mother was dragged outside in winter without a coat. Through a crack in the doorway, she saw a soldier point at her mother’s head and heard a crack (a gunshot). In vivid detail, she recounted how the snow turned red. She stared at her mother for hours from her hiding place after the Nazis left, waiting for her mother to get up.

These were the details that haunted her. These are all details that were out of place, and all pointed to something being horribly wrong. She didn’t remember understanding that her mother was dead, but she certainly perceived a real threat to her life.

Molestation

One survivor of molestation recalled how the hook and eye to lock the bedroom door (in the room where she was abused) was up high, near the top corner of the door. How the weight on top of her was too heavy and she struggled to breathe. These adult memories point to what most traumatized the child – the inability to escape, and the perceived threat of suffocation.

Keep in Mind

When writing memories like these for your character, instead of seeking to capture the complete horror of an event, try narrowly focusing on what would be most upsetting to them. Be visceral with the sensory details. Sound and smell are two senses very closely linked with memory. This will be specific to your character, unique to their experiences and threat levels.

How can you be strategic with the reaction to the trauma emotions your character suppresses or tries to avoid? Do you have questions about writing about trauma? Please share them in the comments if you feel comfortable doing so!

* * * * * *

Lisa Hall-Wilson  is a writing teacher and award-winning writer and author. She’s the author of  Method Acting For Writers: Learn Deep Point Of View Using Emotional Layers.  Her blog,  Beyond Basics For Writers , explores all facets of the popular writing style deep point of view and offers practical tips for writers. 

She runs the free Facebook group  Going Deeper With Emotions  where she shares tips and videos on writing in deep point of view. 

30 comments on “4 Ways To Write The Lived Experience Of Trauma”

Lots of wisdom here Lisa, thanks.

Thank you!!

Thank you Lisa. Your timing is perfect. How did you know I needed this right now? I am also going to forward this to my daughter. She is not a writer, but runs a nonprofit that teaches yoga as an alternative to violence and victims of trauma. I think she might find this helpful.

Glad it was helpful and informative!! I think fiction can both entertain and inform or at least raise public awareness of what it’s like to live with these conditions for greater understanding. Put an end to the shame and othering that happens.

Powerful. Practical. Putting to work right now on my WIP...WWII love story set in Hiroshima. Traumatic? Oh yeah, on so, so, so many levels. Your wisdom about "out of place" details...that will be priceless while I'm editing. Many thanks!

Ooh - interesting setting. Haven’t read any set there. So much trauma to explore that would be evident from the beginning but also surface in later years. And to also consider the role of culture in how trauma symptoms are allowed socially to be expressed. Many many layers to explore. I’m glad this was helpful.

As a survivor of severe childhood abuse, and rape, I respectfully have to disagree that "those emotions and memories fade over time." I wish. I've had years of therapy but I can still see the "movies" in my head. I will agree that they are "fragmented details" but they're powerful movies, nonetheless. However, I do agree that as writers we need to show the resulting behaviours as key to what lies beneath, instead of just interior monologues. As long as the reader eventually gets to see those two things tied together so that they learn something about the depth of trauma, I think these are good techniques. I can always tell when an author has just researched PTSD and when they've actually experienced it.

Laurie, I am sorry for your loss of peace and safety. You deserved a better childhood than you received.

I found that the only thing that successfully "faded" things for me was EMDR with a really good therapist. It made my childhood experiences stop lurking in the background and in my dreams. I don't know if EMDR would be a good fit for you, but for me it was priceless.

https://www.emdria.org/

I’m sorry my words came across that way. My point was exactly the opposite. I’ve asked for an edit to make that clearer.

What I meant by “troubling memories” were those listed at the beginning as hurtful emotions but not trauma - being embarrassed, ashamed, betrayed, etc. I thought juxtaposing that against how trauma memories instead were relived over and over made that clear. I apologize for my poor wording there.

Trauma memories do not fade over time without A LOT of heart work, healing, therapy, time — and depending on the mental health condition, depending on the trauma and the person, in many cases not even then. The struggle is one that’s lifelong.

I write on this topic because I’d like to see writers use these conditions with more realism and sensitivity. I’m so tired of reading novels with a combat veteran as a Protag who has combat flashbacks (PTSD), but no other symptoms. That’s not helping those struggling to manage PTSD, nor does it inform the larger community of the lived experience of this condition which needs more awareness and advocacy.

Edit made! I really appreciate that Laurie pointed this out.

Thank you for this, Lisa. I've read trauma handled badly before, and I've seen it handled well. You clearly pointed out the difference.

Trauma, written well, can be hard to read (and write), so I understand the temptation to gloss over the hard parts. I think it’s possible to capture trauma well (with authenticity and sensitivity), without necessarily being graphic or using language that requires trigger warnings (although I do think sensitivity readers are a great idea when exploring these hard topics).

Beautiful piece! And so true. Just wrapping up a book about how God used two traumatic events to turn me to Christ, in describing the plane crash aftermath, my coach helped me write details the way they transpired. I realized some of my memories were not exactly what happened, rather what I perceived in a state of serious injury and shock. The actual act of writing (20 years later) was unexpectedly cathartic and gave me closure I thought I no longer needed. Thanks for this.

That’s another really great point about trauma. Often there’s many many layers to healing and understanding. You think you’ve got things sorted about this or that and find out there’s another layer to work through. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Perhaps putting a trigger warning at the beginning of the article would help.

I’m sorry you find my examples troubling. I’ve used them on other blogs (as well as my own) without warnings and had no issues. Never my intent to cause further harm.

It's not that the content isn't relevant, but each person's trauma journey is different, and posts which are more explicit need the TW at the beginning. People who have experienced trauma don't always speak up, so I did.

Denise, I added the trigger warning to the more explicit examples and it seems perhaps we needed more. I am sorry I didn't think to put it all the way up at that beginning.

This particular post was a little more in depth than others featuring trauma, and it seemed like the TW needed to be at the beginning.

I apologize. I skimmed and glossed over details to avoid being specific for this reason. My intent was to keep the examples very focused and practical for fiction writing (and my lens is always tuned to writing in deep pov). Guess I missed the mark. 😔

Most helpful. Thank you.

Oh good!! I’m glad you found it helpful. I appreciate that.

Trauma coming back as a reaction feels spot on, in my personal experience.

I am thinking about the book, Lightning by Dean Koontz, and how the protagonist reacts to the sound of thunder. Horrible things as well as her beneficial guardian accompany that sound.

Thank you for writing this post. It is most helpful.

Thanks for letting me know! I appreciate that. Yeah - sound and smell are both very closely linked to memory and are very common triggers for past trauma. A song. A noise. A tone of voice. It’s a great way to drip drip drip in backstory, but by bit, instead of using info dumps or flashbacks to retell the trauma event.

Great article, Lisa. Thank you.

Thanks, Piper!! Appreciate that.

Really wonderful post on writing trauma! It's so in-depth with clear explanations of how trauma is truly experienced. Thanks so much for this info that will improve the writing of this subject, including myself. I've taken your course on deep POV, and read a lot of your posts- you're always so right-on and full of great info. I'm going to sign up to your blog & hope to take courses in the future. Thanks again!

i am often thinking about how literature (writing, reading, sharing) can be therapeutic. this is a great post for guiding the writer to effectively convey these experiences so that it is both therapeutic for the writer (without re-traumatizing them) and for the reader (without triggering them)

[…] 4 Ways To Write The Lived Experience Of Trauma […]

[…] Showing the juxtaposition of what’s going on inside vs what’s visible outwardly is crucial to sh… How is your character perceived while they’re simply doing their best to survive or regain control of overwhelming emotions? The emotional outbursts are not irrational. But they are most likely inconvenient and embarrassing, avoided at all costs, and may leave a path of destruction internally and externally. […]

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Writing About Trauma in College Essays

• Sasha Chada
• May 29, 2023

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A recent TEDx talk by Tina Young entitled: The Rise of the “Trauma Essay” in College Applications caught my attention, as many of the points she raises are ones we have discussed with our students, especially those in our Laurel Scholars program, which seeks to help the otherwise underprivileged in their college applications. 

She raises some important points, but we want to discuss the phenomenon of trauma essays in a slightly different light, and explore why colleges want to hear about your struggles. We’ll seek to contextualize this need in the application process, and explore how you can share it with colleges without making it the core of your identity or application process. 

Why Colleges Care About Trauma

The truth underlying the TEDx talk is simple: trauma essays often work, and are successful in helping students get into college. This leads to many students, both those who have experienced trauma and those who haven’t, feeling like they need to discuss challenges they’ve faced and overcome in their essays to have a shot at getting into college. This is not the case. 

Essays about overcoming challenges often work because they function well as college essays. A good college essay tells admissions officers who the applicant is, what their values are, and tells an interesting narrative to convey this information. Stories about overcoming challenges are often narratively compelling (just look at most popular TV shows and movies, and see how many challenges those characters face). While this is far from the only way to write a strong college essay, it is easy to see why some students feel compelled to write one.

That said, colleges do care about struggles you may have faced which have impacted your educational progress. This is because all students are analyzed in context, and their achievements are measured against the opportunities they were presented with. To show how this works, let’s compare two fictional students. 

Students A and B have the same grades and test scores, though student A has taken far more advanced courses in math and science. Student A has also interned at several labs, and has their name on a number of research papers. Student B has some extracurriculars, but for the most part has not done much outside of school beyond some part-time employment. 

Here is where context matters. Student A attends a top private school, one with extensive support for extracurriculars and advanced academic opportunities, including support for independent research and help finding internships. Student B, on the other hand, attended a poorly funded public school, one without the budget for arts, much less advanced options. They had to help take care of siblings after school, and worked part time to help their parents pay bills.

In light of this context, which student’s academic achievement means more? Does this explain the extracurricular gap?

While students should not feel forced to devote their essays to discussing past hardships, nor are those the only topics they can write about in essays. That said, admissions officers only know what you tell them, and this kind of context about challenges you have faced can and does substantially impact your chances of acceptance.

How to Write About Trauma

So what to do, if you have context you want to provide, but are hesitant (understandably so) to delve into past bad experiences in so personal a way as the best essays require?

In these cases, we recommend using the Common App’s additional information section, which exists for this purpose explicitly. The additional information section is not an essay, but is instead a place to factually describe any circumstances or challenges you have faced, personally or educationally. You may or may not have overcome these challenges; that is not at issue. Rather, colleges want to understand who you are, and the situation you’ve come from.

Generally, the additional info section is used to discuss the following: 

• Additional activities or extracurriculars that did not fit elsewhere
• Medical issues which have impacted your education
• Extenuating or remarkable circumstances
• Learning differences which have impacted your education

Note that you do not have to include an additional information section if you do not wish to, and you do not have to divulge personal information outside your comfort zone. The goal is to provide information to allow admissions officers to evaluate your accomplishments in the light of what you have done.

Here are some examples of extenuating or remarkable circumstances which students can describe in this section. This is not an exhaustive list, but serves to show the kinds of situations students have discussed before: 

• How a parent’s death, illness, or injury impacted them, and what additional responsibilities they had to take on within their household because of it.
• What responsibilities you had within your household normally, above and beyond normal chores, including things like caring for siblings or taking care of major household responsibilities, such as meal preparation.
• If you were unable to participate in extracurriculars due to familial or other responsibilities, or monetary constraints. 
• If language barriers or cultural clash were a barrier to your education, due to your immigration status.
• If your education suffered disruptions due to circumstances outside of your control.

Again, this section is not an essay, but instead a place to simply and factually explain your circumstances, and how they affected you. There does not need to be an excess of detail, or descriptions of how you overcame an issue if you did not. That said, if you have worked to address or overcome a challenge, you may include that as well.

The Trouble With Trauma Essays

In the TEDx talk, the presenter rightly points out that requiring students to discuss and unpack their trauma in college essays can be harmful. It produces false expectations for what their essays should be, and places an undue burden on students to discuss topics they may not be comfortable with. She also rightly points out that not all challenges are overcome, and not all of them can be neatly tied up with a bow and presented in the form of an essay for admissions officers.

These are legitimate concerns, but we do believe there is also a need for students to share some of their struggles with admissions officers. While we do strive to give students equal opportunities to succeed, the truth is that not all schools have the same level of funding and resources, and not all of them are able to offer the same opportunities to their students.

On top of this, each student has their own unique struggles, some far more than others. The circumstances of your life do not need to define you, but they can shape the opportunities you are provided. The relative weight of an accomplishment must be judged based on the resources of the student doing it.

Admissions officers are only humans, but there is a push to make college admissions more fair. Part of the difficulty in this is trying to judge the relative accomplishments of students. The more information they have about you, and what you’ve gone through, the better they will be able to evaluate your accomplishments, and evaluate you in the proper context. 

Final Thoughts

There is sadly no easy way to resolve the problem of trauma essays in college admissions. While students should not feel the need to recount every challenge they have faced, there is a legitimate need to provide context for your accomplishments to admissions officers, especially if your life circumstances have impacted your academic or extracurricular involvement. Even if they haven’t, your achievements are made more impressive by what you have dealt with in accomplishing them.

While college applications are difficult for students regardless of background, we do know that some students have better access to resources than others, or have unique concerns that impact their applications. If you want to discuss your own concerns with us, schedule a free consultation today. If you aren’t sure about that, consider checking out our pro bono offering: Laurel Scholars . In either case, we look forward to hearing from you, and helping you with your collegiate dreams.

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80 Journal Prompts For Trauma Healing

• by Katherine
• September 2, 2023

Trauma can leave lasting marks on a person’s life. It can affect their mental and emotional health, leading to long-term difficulties. However, the healing journey is possible. Journaling is one of the most effective ways to start the healing process. Writing down your thoughts and experiences in a journal can help you unpack and process your trauma. Today, we’ll be looking at 80 journal prompts for trauma healing.

Journal Prompts For Trauma Healing

• What is one thing you wish people understood about your experiences with trauma?
• What is a positive coping mechanism you use when dealing with triggers?
• What is one thing you’re grateful for?
• What does self-care mean to you?
• What are some healthy boundaries you’d like to set for yourself?
• How do you feel when you’re in a triggering situation? What can you do to feel safe?
• What kind of mental health support would you like to receive?
• What is your biggest fear regarding the future?
• What are the strengths you’ve gained from going through trauma?
• What is a traumatic event that shaped who you are today?
• Who can you trust to confide in when you’re feeling triggered?
• What do you find comfort in?
• What kind of support systems do you have in place?
• What is one piece of advice you would give someone else going through trauma?
• What do you value most in life?
• What does forgiveness mean to you?
• What have you learned about yourself through the healing process?
• What scares you about opening up about your past?
• How do you envision your ideal life?
• What is your favorite memory from childhood?
• When you think about your future, what do you see?
• What kind of qualities do you look for in a friend?
• What is one thing you want to achieve in life?
• What do you think is your purpose in life?
• What is your definition of strength?
• What is your definition of beauty?
• What is your happiest memory?
• If money wasn’t a factor, what would you be doing right now?
• What is something you’re proud of right now?
• What makes you feel calm?
• What is something you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet?
• What is one goal you have for this year?
• What kind of parent would you like to be?
• What kind of partner would you like to have?
• What is your biggest accomplishment in life thus far?
• What is something you’d like to learn more about?
• What is a lesson you’ve learned from your past?
• What is something you’re looking forward to?
• What is your definition of success?
• What is your favorite book?
• What is your favorite movie?
• Who is someone you admire and why?
• What is something you’re struggling with right now?
• What kind of legacy would you like to leave behind?
• What is something that challenges you?
• What kind of career would you like to have?
• What is one thing you’re passionate about?
• What is your favorite hobby?
• What kind of travel experience would you like to have?
• What is one thing you’d like to accomplish before you die?
• What is something you regret?
• What is your proudest accomplishment?
• What is your favorite place in the world?
• What kind of role model would you like to be?
• What is something you’ve learned from your mistakes?
• What is your favorite childhood memory?
• What is a belief you used to hold on to but have since let go of?
• What is something you’ve done that you’re not proud of?
• What is something you’re currently working on?
• What is your favorite quote?
• What is something you appreciate about yourself?
• What kind of impact would you like to make on the world?
• What is something you admire about someone else?
• What is your favorite song?
• What is your favorite food?
• What is something you’re excited about?
• What is something you’re looking forward to in the future?
• What is something you’re afraid of?
• What is your favorite type of art?
• What is a song that reminds you of a happy time in your life?
• What is something you’re working on to better yourself?
• What is something you’ve learned about yourself recently?
• What is something you wish you could tell your younger self?
• What is a lesson you’ve learned from a difficult experience?
• What is something you’re currently trying to let go of?
• What is a mistake you’ve made that you’ve learned from?
• What is a skill you’d like to learn?
• What is something that makes you unique?
• What is something you’re proud of that you don’t tell many people?

Conclusion:

There you have it: 80 journal prompts for trauma healing. Remember, journaling can be a powerful healing tool, but it’s important to take your time and not rush the process. Start with one prompt and write as much or as little as you feel comfortable with. It’s also important to seek support from mental health professionals if needed. Remember, healing is possible, and you’re not alone.

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Katherine is the passionate educator and writer behind HandwritingwithKatherine.com. As a dedicated teacher, she cherishes the art of handwriting and its unique reflection of individuality. Beyond the classroom, Katherine delves into the world of writing, sharing a blend of educational insights and personal stories. When she’s not teaching or blogging, Katherine can be found exploring bookshops or writing with a comforting cup of tea in hand.

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Apr 5, 2023

How to Write an Essay Hook | Tips, Tricks, and Examples

What does fishing and essay writing have in common? It's all about the hook! Just like a fisherman needs a good hook to catch a fish, you need an excellent essay hook to reel in your readers. If you're tired of your essays flopping like a fish out of water, don't worry - in this article, we'll teach you how to craft a hook that will have your readers hooked from the very first sentence. Get ready to bait your audience and catch their attention like a pro!

Welcome to the world of essay writing! Crafting an essay that captivates your audience from the very beginning can be challenging. As a student, you might have struggled with the question, "How do I write an essay hook?" The answer is simple: you need to grab the reader's attention and keep them engaged from the first sentence. But how do you do that effectively?

Don't worry; that's where Jenni.ai comes in! Our AI tool is designed to help students write essays that stand out, with powerful hook examples for essays that will make your paper impossible to put down.

That's why we've created this blog post to help you understand what a hook is, and how to write one and provide you with some hook essay examples that will inspire you to take your writing to the next level. Whether you're writing a persuasive essay, a narrative essay, or a research paper, we've got you covered!

But first, let's talk about what an essay hook is. A hook is an initial statement in an essay, typically the first sentence or a group of sentences that grab the reader's attention and make them want to read more. It's the first impression you give to your reader, and it can make or break your essay.

A good hook should be intriguing, thought-provoking, and relevant to your topic. It can be a question, a quote, a statistic, a personal anecdote, or anything else that piques your reader's interest.

How to Write a Hook

Now that you know what a hook is and why it's important, let's dive into how to write a hook that will grab your reader's attention.

Start with an Interesting Fact or Statistic

One of the most effective ways to start an essay is with an interesting fact or statistic that relates to your topic. This will immediately grab your reader's attention and make them curious to learn more.

For example, if you're writing an essay about the impact of climate change on the ocean, you could start with a startling statistic like "The ocean has absorbed 90% of the heat produced by global warming, causing it to become 30% more acidic in the last century alone."

Use a Metaphor or Simile

Metaphors and similes can be powerful tools for creating an engaging hook. By comparing something familiar to your reader with something unfamiliar or unexpected, you can pique their interest and create a sense of intrigue.

For instance, if you're writing an essay about the importance of education, you could start with a metaphor like "Education is the key that unlocks the door to a brighter future."

Pose a Question

Asking a thought-provoking question can be an effective way to hook your reader and encourage them to think about your topic in a new way. The key is to ask a question that is relevant to your topic and that will make your reader curious to find out the answer.

For example, if you're writing an essay about the benefits of meditation, you could start with a question like "What if just 10 minutes of meditation a day could reduce your stress levels and improve your mental clarity?"

Share a Personal Anecdote

Sharing a personal story or anecdote can be a powerful way to connect with your reader and make your essay feel more relatable. It also shows that you have a personal stake in the topic you're writing about.

For instance, if you're writing an essay about the importance of mental health, you could start with a personal anecdote like "I remember the moment I realized I needed to prioritize my mental health. It was a sunny day, but I felt like I was drowning in darkness."

By using one of these techniques, you can create an essay hook that is engaging, relevant, and memorable. So the next time you sit down to write an essay, remember to start with a hook that will reel in your reader and keep them hooked until the very end.

Example Essays with Engaging Hooks

The End of Innocence: How Technology Is Changing Childhood

Introduction:

From playing in the backyard to scrolling through screens, the childhood experience has drastically changed in the last few decades. Technology has become an integral part of our lives, and children are not left behind. With the emergence of smartphones, tablets, and other smart devices, the digital age has paved the way for a new kind of childhood experience.

However, this change has raised some serious concerns about the impact of technology on children's lives. In this article, we will explore the end of innocence and how technology is changing childhood.

Digital Age and Childhood:

With the advent of technology, childhood has evolved. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other smart devices have changed the way children play, learn, and communicate. The digital age has brought a wealth of information and entertainment that was not available in the past.

Children can now access an extensive range of educational resources, connect with peers, and entertain themselves at the touch of a button. However, this has led to concerns about the impact of technology on children's physical, social, and emotional development.

Physical Development:

Technology has made it easier for children to engage in sedentary activities such as watching videos, playing games, and browsing the internet. This has led to concerns about the impact of technology on physical development.

According to the World Health Organization, physical inactivity is one of the leading risk factors for global mortality. With children spending more time in screens, there is a real risk of obesity and other health problems. Furthermore, the excessive use of screens can lead to eye strain, headaches, and other health issues.

Social Development:

Technology has changed the way children interact with each other. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have given children a new way to connect with peers. However, social media can also be a source of cyberbullying, online harassment, and other negative experiences. 

Furthermore, the excessive use of screens can lead to social isolation, as children spend less time engaging in face-to-face interactions.

Emotional Development:

The impact of technology on children's emotional development is a subject of debate. While some studies have found a positive relationship between technology use and emotional development, others have found the opposite.

The excessive use of screens can lead to addiction, anxiety, and depression. Furthermore, children who spend more time on screens are less likely to develop empathy and emotional intelligence.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the digital age has changed childhood, and the end of innocence is a real concern. Technology has brought a wealth of benefits, but it has also led to concerns about the impact on children's physical, social, and emotional development. As parents, it is important to strike a balance between technology use and other activities.

Encouraging children to engage in physical activity, spend time with friends and family, and pursue hobbies can help to mitigate the negative effects of technology. By being mindful of the impact of technology on childhood, we can help our children to grow into healthy, well-rounded individuals.

The Price of Perfection: Why Society's Standards Are Hurting Us

Perfection is a goal that many people strive for in their lives. Society often places a great deal of emphasis on achieving perfection, whether it is in our appearance, career, or personal life. However, the pursuit of perfection can have a negative impact on our mental and emotional well-being. In this article, we will explore the price of perfection and why society's standards are hurting us.

The Perfectionism Trap:

Perfectionism is the belief that one must be flawless in all aspects of life. It is a personality trait that can lead to a range of negative outcomes, including anxiety, depression, and stress. Society often reinforces the notion that perfectionism is desirable, which can lead people to feel inadequate or inferior when they fall short of this ideal.

The Cost of Perfection:

The pursuit of perfection can have significant costs, both personally and socially. At an individual level, it can lead to burnout, anxiety, and depression. Perfectionism is often associated with high levels of stress, as individuals feel pressure to meet unrealistic expectations. This can lead to physical health problems, such as headaches, muscle tension, and insomnia.

At a societal level, the pressure to be perfect can lead to social isolation, as individuals feel unable to meet the expectations of their peers. Social media has exacerbated this problem, as individuals compare themselves to others who seem to have achieved perfection in various aspects of their lives.

This can lead to a sense of inadequacy and low self-esteem, as individuals feel they cannot measure up to the standards set by others.

Breaking Free from Perfectionism:

Breaking free from the trap of perfectionism requires a shift in mindset. It requires recognizing that perfection is not achievable and that mistakes and failures are a natural part of the human experience. Learning to embrace imperfection can lead to greater emotional resilience and mental well-being.

It also requires challenging the societal norms that reinforce the importance of perfectionism. This includes questioning the unrealistic expectations placed on individuals in various aspects of life, such as their appearance or career success.

In conclusion, the pursuit of perfection can come at a significant cost to our mental and emotional well-being. Society often reinforces the notion that perfectionism is desirable, which can lead individuals to feel inadequate or inferior when they fall short of this ideal.

Breaking free from the trap of perfectionism requires a shift in mindset and a willingness to embrace imperfection. By recognizing that perfection is not achievable, we can work towards greater emotional resilience and mental well-being. It also requires challenging the societal norms that reinforce the importance of perfectionism, so that we can create a more compassionate and accepting society for all.

Breaking the Stigma: Why Mental Health Matters

Mental health is a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, yet it is often stigmatized and overlooked in our society. Many people suffer from mental health issues, but due to the stigma surrounding these conditions, they may not seek the help they need. In this article, we will explore the importance of mental health and why breaking the stigma is so crucial.

The Impact of Mental Health on Our Lives:

Mental health plays a crucial role in our overall well-being. It affects our emotions, thoughts, and behaviour, and impacts how we interact with others and the world around us. Mental health issues can have a significant impact on our daily lives, leading to difficulties with work, relationships, and overall functioning.

The Stigma Surrounding Mental Health:

Despite the prevalence of mental health issues, there is still a significant stigma surrounding these conditions. This can lead people to feel ashamed or embarrassed about seeking help, which can delay treatment and lead to more severe symptoms. Stigma can also lead to discrimination and negative attitudes towards individuals with mental health issues, which can further exacerbate their symptoms and impact their quality of life.

Breaking the Stigma:

Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health is crucial to ensuring that individuals receive the help they need. It requires challenging the negative attitudes and misconceptions that contribute to the stigma. This includes promoting awareness and education about mental health issues, as well as encouraging open and honest conversations about mental health.

By creating a more accepting and supportive environment for individuals with mental health issues, we can help to reduce the stigma and improve access to care.

The Importance of Seeking Help:

Seeking help for mental health issues is crucial for both individuals and society as a whole. By addressing mental health issues early on, we can prevent more severe symptoms and improve overall functioning. It also helps to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health, as individuals who seek help can serve as role models and advocates for others who may be struggling.

Mental health is a crucial aspect of our overall well-being, yet it is often stigmatized and overlooked in our society. Breaking the stigma surrounding mental health is crucial to ensuring that individuals receive the help they need. It requires challenging negative attitudes and misconceptions about mental health, promoting awareness and education, and encouraging open and honest conversations.

By doing so, we can create a more accepting and supportive environment for individuals with mental health issues, and improve access to care for all.

From Zero to Hero: The Power of Resilience

Resilience is the ability to overcome adversity and bounce back from challenges. It is a powerful trait that can help individuals achieve success in all areas of their lives, from personal relationships to professional pursuits. 

Life can be full of challenges and setbacks that can leave us feeling defeated and discouraged. But what sets successful people apart from those who struggle is their ability to bounce back from adversity and keep pushing forward. This ability to overcome obstacles and persevere in the face of adversity is known as resilience, and it can be a powerful tool for achieving success in all areas of life.

In this article, we will explore the concept of resilience, its benefits, and strategies for building it. We'll also look at real-life examples of resilience in action and how it can help us go from zero to hero in our own lives.

Defining resilience: What it is and why it matters

Resilience is the ability to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity, trauma, or stress. It involves being able to bounce back from setbacks and continue moving forward despite challenges. Resilience is not a fixed trait; rather, it can be developed and strengthened over time through deliberate practice and the cultivation of a growth mindset.

Resilience matters because life is full of challenges, both big and small. Whether it's a difficult job interview, a breakup, or a health issue, we all face obstacles that can derail us if we don't have the tools to cope. Resilience helps us stay strong in the face of adversity, maintain our focus on our goals, and continue making progress even when the going gets tough.

The benefits of resilience: How it can improve your life

There are many benefits to developing resilience. Here are just a few:

Increased self-confidence: When we develop resilience, we become more confident in our ability to handle challenges and overcome obstacles. This increased confidence can spill over into other areas of our lives, helping us take risks and pursue our goals with greater vigour.

Improved mental health: Resilience has been linked to improved mental health outcomes, including lower rates of depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). This is because resilient individuals are better able to cope with stress and trauma, and are less likely to be overwhelmed by negative emotions.

Greater success in personal and professional pursuits: Resilience is a key predictor of success in both personal and professional endeavours. Individuals who are more resilient are better able to persevere in the face of challenges, bounce back from setbacks, and stay focused on their goals.

Strategies for building resilience: From mindfulness to self-care

While some individuals may be naturally more resilient than others, resilience is a trait that can be developed and strengthened over time. Here are some strategies for building resilience:

Practice mindfulness:

Mindfulness can help us develop a greater awareness of our thoughts and emotions, and learn to regulate them more effectively. This can be especially helpful when we are facing challenges or setbacks.

Cultivate a growth mindset: 

A growth mindset involves believing that our abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. This mindset can help us stay motivated and focused even when we encounter obstacles.

Practice self-care: 

Taking care of ourselves physically, emotionally, and mentally is essential for building resilience. This may include getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising regularly, and engaging in activities that bring us joy and fulfilment.

Real-life examples of resilience in action

There are countless examples of individuals who have demonstrated remarkable resilience in the face of adversity. For example:

Oprah Winfrey grew up in poverty and was a victim of abuse, but she persevered and went on to become one of the most successful and influential people in the world.

J.K. Rowling was a struggling single mother when she wrote the first Harry Potter book, which was rejected by multiple publishers. But she kept writing and eventually found success, becoming one of the bestselling authors of all time

Another factor that contributes to resilience is having a positive outlook. People who are resilient tend to focus on the positive aspects of a situation, rather than dwelling on the negative. They also have a sense of optimism and hopefulness, which allows them to see the light at the end of the tunnel even in the darkest of times. 

In fact, studies have shown that having a positive attitude can help individuals cope better with stress and adversity, leading to increased resilience.

In addition to having a positive outlook, building strong relationships with others can also help to foster resilience. Having a support system of family, friends, and even colleagues can provide a sense of belonging and connection, which can be critical during difficult times. This support system can also provide emotional and practical support, helping individuals to better manage and overcome challenges.

Furthermore, resilience can also be strengthened through learning and personal growth. By taking the time to reflect on past experiences, individuals can gain valuable insights into their own strengths and weaknesses. This self-awareness can help them to develop a greater sense of resilience, as they become better equipped to deal with future challenges.

Finally, taking care of one's physical health can also contribute to resilience. Engaging in regular exercise, getting enough sleep, and eating a healthy diet are all important factors in maintaining physical well-being. By prioritizing physical health, individuals can better cope with stress and adversity, allowing them to bounce back more easily when faced with difficult situations.

In conclusion, resilience is a powerful trait that can help individuals overcome adversity and achieve success in all areas of life. Whether it is through developing a positive outlook, building strong relationships, or prioritizing physical health, there are many strategies that can be used to build resilience. 

By focusing on these strategies and working to develop a greater sense of resilience, individuals can learn to transform themselves from zero to hero, achieving their goals and living their best lives.

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Writing Can Help Us Heal from Trauma

• Deborah Siegel-Acevedo

Three prompts to get started.

Why does a writing intervention work? While it may seem counterintuitive that writing about negative experiences has a positive effect, some have posited that narrating the story of a past negative event or an ongoing anxiety “frees up” cognitive resources. Research suggests that trauma damages brain tissue, but that when people translate their emotional experience into words, they may be changing the way it is organized in the brain. This matters, both personally and professionally. In a moment still permeated with epic stress and loss, we need to call in all possible supports. So, what does this look like in practice, and how can you put this powerful tool into effect? The author offers three practices, with prompts, to get you started.

Even as we inoculate our bodies and seemingly move out of the pandemic, psychologically we are still moving through it. We owe it to ourselves — and our coworkers — to make space for processing this individual and collective trauma. A recent op-ed in the New York Times Sunday Review affirms what I, as a writer and professor of writing, have witnessed repeatedly, up close: expressive writing can heal us.

• Deborah Siegel-Acevedo is an author , TEDx speaker, and founder of Bold Voice Collaborative , an organization fostering growth, resilience, and community through storytelling for individuals and organizations. An adjunct faculty member at DePaul University’s College of Communication, her writing has appeared in venues including The Washington Post, The Guardian, and CNN.com.

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College Essays and the Trauma Sweetspot

Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. Discuss a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others. If all else fails, explore a background, identity, interest, or talent so profound that not doing so would leave our idea of you fundamentally incomplete.

Exactly the sort of small talk you want to make with strangers.

American college essays — frequently structured around prompts like the above — ask us to interrogate who we are, who we want to be, and what the most formative experiences of our then-short lives are. To tell a story, to reveal ourselves and our identity in its entirety to the curious gaze of admissions officers — all in a succinct 650 words.

Last Thursday, The Crimson published “ Rewriting Our Admissions Essays, ” an intimate reflection by six Crimson editors on the personal statements that got them into Harvard. Our takeaway from this exercise is that our current essay-generating ethos — the topics we choose or are made to choose, the style and emphasis we apply — is imperfect at best, when not actively harmful.

The American admissions process rightly grants students broad latitude to write about whatever they choose, with prompts that emphasize personal experience, adversity, discovery, and identity — features often distort student narratives and pressure students to present themselves in light of their most difficult experiences.

When it comes to writing, freedom is good — great even! The personal statement can be a powerful vehicle to convey an aspect of one’s identity, and students who feel inclined to do so should take advantage of the opportunity to write deeply and candidly about their lives; the variety of prompts, including the possibility to craft your own, facilitate that. We have no doubt that some of our peers had already pondered, or even lived in the shadow of, the difficult questions posed by the most recurrent essay prompts; and we know the essay to be a fundamental part of the holistic, inclusive admissions system we so fervently cherish . Writing one’s college essay, while stressful, can ultimately prove cathartic to some and revealing to others, a helpful exercise in introspection amid a much too busy reality.

Yet we would be blind not to notice the deep, dark nooks where the system that demands such introspection tends to lead us.

Both the college essay format — short but riveting, revealing but uplifting, insightful but not so self-centered that it will upset any potential admissions counselor — and the prompts that guide it push students towards an ethic of maximum emotional impact. With falling acceptance rates and a desperate need to stand out from tens of thousands of applicants, students frequently feel the need to supply the sort of attention-grabbing drama that might just push them through.

But joyful, restful days don’t make for great stories; there are few, if any, plot points in a stable, warm relationship with a living, healthy relative. Trauma, on the other hand — homophobic or racist encounters that leave one shaken, alcoholic parents, death, loss and scarring pain — makes for a good story. A Harvard-worthy story, even.

For students who have experienced genuine adversity, this pressure to package adversity into a palatable narrative can be toxic. The essay risks commodifying hardship, rendering genuinely soul-molding experiences like suffering recurrent homelessness or having orphaned grandparents into shiny narrative baubles to melt down into a Harvard degree. It can make applicants, accepted or not, feel like their admissions outcomes are tied to their most vulnerable experiences. The worst thing that ever happened to you was simply not enough, or alternatively, it was more than enough, and now you get to struggle with traumatized-imposter syndrome.

Moreover, students often feel compelled to end their essays about deep trauma with a statement of victory — a proclamation that they have overcome their problems and are “fit for admission.” Very few have figured life out by age 18. Trauma often sticks with people far longer, and this implicit obligation may make students feel like they “failed” if the pain of their trauma resurfaces during college. Not every bruise heals and not all damage can be undone — but no one wants to read a sob story without a redemption arc.

A similar dynamic is at play in terms of the intensity of the chosen experience: Students feeling for ridges of scars to tear up into prose must be careful to avoid cuts too deep or too shallow. Their trauma mustn’t appear too severe: No college, certainly not Harvard, wants to admit people who could trigger legal liabilities after a bad mental health episode . That is the essay’s twisted pain paradox — students’ trauma must be compelling but not too serious, shocking but not off-putting. Colleges seek the chic not-like-other-students sort of hurt; they want the fun, quirky pain that leaves the main character with a new refreshing perspective at the end of a lackluster indie film. Genuine wounds — the sort that don’t heal overnight or ever, the kind that don’t lead to an uplifting conclusion that ties in beautifully with your interest in Anthropology — are but lawsuits in the waiting .

For students who have not experienced such trauma, the personal essay can trap accuracy in a tug of war with appealing falsities. The desire to appear as a heroic problem-solver can incentivize students to exaggerate or misrepresent details to compete with the compelling stories of others.

We emphatically reject these unspoken premises. Students from marginalized communities don’t owe college admissions offices an inspirational story of nicely packaged drama. They should not bear a disproportionate burden in proving their worthiness.

Why, then, do these pressures exist? How can we account for the multitude of challenging experiences people have without reductionist commodification? How do you value the sharing of deeply personal struggles without incentivizing every acceptance-hungry applicant to offer an adjective-ridden, six-paragraph attempt at psychoanalyzing their terrible childhood?

We don’t have a quick fix, but we must seek a system that preserves openness and mitigates perverse pressures. Other admissions systems around the world, such as the United Kingdom’s UCAS personal statement, tend to emphasize intellectual interest in tandem with personal experience. The Rhodes Scholarship, citing an excessive focus on the “heroic self” in the essays it receives, recently overhauled its prompts to focus more broadly on the themes “self/others/world.” We should pay attention to the nature of the essays that these prompts inspire and see, in time, if their models are worth replicating.

In the meantime, students should understand that neither their hurt nor their college essay defines them — and there are many ways to stand out to admissions officers. If it feels right to write about deeply difficult experiences, do so with the knowledge that they have far more to contribute to a college campus than adversity and hardship.

The issue is not what people can or should write about in their personal statements. Rather, it’s how what admissions officers expect of their applicants distorts the essays they receive, and how the structure of American college admissions can push toward garment-rending oversharing. We must strive for an admissions culture in which students feel truly free to express their identity — to tell a story they want to share, not one their admissions officers want them to. A system where students can feel comfortable that any specific essay topic — devastating or cheerful — will not place them slightly ahead or behind in the mad, mad race toward that cherished acceptance letter.

This staff editorial solely represents the majority view of The Crimson Editorial Board. It is the product of discussions at regular Editorial Board meetings. In order to ensure the impartiality of our journalism, Crimson editors who choose to opine and vote at these meetings are not involved in the reporting of articles on similar topics.

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Stress, Trauma, and Mental Health: Illness, Injury, or Both?

How we think about trauma can affect how we heal..

Posted October 17, 2023 | Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

• What Is Trauma?
• Take our Your Mental Health Today Test
• Find a therapist to heal from trauma
• In health settings, conditions can often be divided into injuries and illnesses.
• Stress and trauma are known to ignite biological processes associated with many mental health challenges.
• Effective mental health intervention takes into account biological, psychological, and social aspects.

From my perspective, there are two primary reasons people seek out health services—because they're sick or hurt. Traditionally in psychiatry, this distinction is rarely made with a focus on illness instead. There are diagnostic criteria, a description of a "pathology," and treatment. Still, it can be asked, are all conditions in psychiatry illnesses?

Historically, I found conceptualizations of the diagnosis of posttraumatic stress disorder ( PTSD ) problematic in that it seemed to confuse injury for an illness. Acknowledging the significance of this injury is an important part of healing. In 2013, with the release of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM), Fifth Edition , PTSD in addition to many other conditions found home in a new place in the book, a section named "Trauma and Stress-Related Disorders."

Popular conceptualization of trauma has shifted to acknowledge its status as an injury. Just a person can experience physical trauma, it's acknowledged that if enough strain is placed on a person's psyche, psychological trauma can occur. PTSD is a clear example of an injury.

While this is progress, many, myself included, would say that the expansion has a way to go. For example, children often express trauma symptoms differently than adults. Rather than reporting the stereotypical nightmares and flashbacks, for example, many children react to trauma through changes in behavior, concentration , and emotion regulation . As these youth may not meet the criteria for PTSD, many are diagnosed with other conditions such as oppositional defiant disorder or disruptive mood dysregulation disorder. A proposed condition to the American Psychiatric Association of "developmental trauma disorder" (Schmid et al. 2013) captured these differences. It was not included.

Similarly, it has been noted that when someone experiences multiple traumatic events over a long period, such as those experienced by a person growing up in an abusive household, they often develop patterns of instability in moods, relationships, and life. Many of these individuals are given a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder , focusing on the personality piece. Some clinicians have advocated that there may be a subset of individuals whose borderline personality traits are trauma-induced (Ball and Links, 2009). Yet, despite advocacy for an addition of a condition that would encompass these pieces, "complex posttraumatic stress disorder," to the DSM (Van Der Kolt, 2002), it is not currently acknowledged as a diagnosis in the United States.

Injury Vs Illness: Why Does It Matter?

The mental health field has a shameful history of blaming families when individuals, particularly children, present with difficulties. One of the most troubling examples of this is the 1940s' phenomenon of the "refrigerator mother." At that time, when children exhibited traits of autism, the mother would be targeted as the cause. It was said that her coldness would cause the child to be autistic . Today we understand autism as a neurodivergence that has nothing to do with refrigerators or cold parenting . The level of pain this caused children, parents, and families is immeasurable.

Perhaps in reaction to this, it has become somewhat taboo to discuss trauma as a contributing factor in mental health, particularly with children. Some call it blame. Yet, trauma does not mean that there is a "bad person" and a "good person." Some traumatic experiences do not involve malevolence at all (e.g., natural disasters, fires). Someone can influence a person in a traumatic way unintentionally and even in some cases of abuse there is still some love for the child.

Have we gone too far? Can we have a conversation about the relationship between trauma and certain experiences of mental illness without blaming or villainizing each other?

On the contrary, some have found a mental health diagnosis that doesn't involve trauma to feel shameful or even blaming—in this case, the person receiving the diagnosis. Yet, we know that many mental health conditions have genetic, neurological, and other biological markers. These are no one's fault.

A holistic understanding of a person's challenges is essential to effective care.

Sometimes Both

Many people have experienced some level of trauma. Life is traumatic— grief , illness, fear , current events. As well, not all stress would fall under what one might call traumatic stress. A person can become very stressed with work, school, and the demands of life.

The stress-diathesis model proposes that there can sometimes be an interaction between the level of stress, genetic vulnerability, and the body's reaction to that stress which can ignite many mental health conditions (Pruessner et al., 2017). A study of individuals receiving support at a community mental health center found that 87 percent had experienced some significant trauma as measured by the Life Events Checklist (Cusack et al., 2006). Perhaps there are times when a mental health condition is both an injury and an illness.

Without acknowledgment of past and current social stressors and trauma, a person's treatment is likely to be incomplete. Rather than simply dividing conditions into those that are and are not "trauma-induced," maybe we could use a system to look at a more holistic approach to mental health, taking into account biological, psychological, and social aspects of healing.

Ball, J. S., & Links, P. S. (2009). Borderline personality disorder and childhood trauma: evidence for a causal relationship. Current Psychiatry Reports , 11 (1), 63–68.

Cleary, M., West, S., & Mclean, L. (2023). From ‘refrigerator mothers’ to empowered advocates: The evolution of the autism parent. Issues in Mental Health Nursing , 44 (1), 64-70.

Cusack, K. J., Grubaugh, A. L., Knapp, R. G., & Frueh, B. C. (2006). Unrecognized trauma and PTSD among public mental health consumers with chronic and severe mental illness. Community Mental Health Journal , 42 , 487–500.

Pruessner, M., Cullen, A. E., Aas, M., & Walker, E. F. (2017). The neural diathesis-stress model of schizophrenia revisited: An update on recent findings considering illness stage and neurobiological and methodological complexities. Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Reviews , 73 , 191–218.

Schmid, M., Petermann, F., & Fegert, J. M. (2013). Developmental trauma disorder: pros and cons of including formal criteria in the psychiatric diagnostic systems. BMC Psychiatry , 13 , 1–12.

Van der Kolk, B. A. (2002). The assessment and treatment of complex PTSD. Treating Trauma Survivors With PTSD , 127 , 156.

Jennifer Gerlach, LCSW, is a psychotherapist based in Southern Illinois who specializes in psychosis, mood disorders, and young adult mental health.

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This is what admissions officers really want to read in college essays

The important thing is not to overthink it.

by Allie Volpe

One of the most memorable essays college admissions counselor Alexis White worked on with a student wasn’t about a harrowing personal challenge or a rewarding volunteering experience. “It started with the sentence ‘My hair arrives in a room before I do,’” says White, the founder and director of the consultancy firm Alexis College Expert. “It just was the best. And everybody who reads it loves it.”

College application essays have an infamous reputation for being one of the most difficult aspects of the application process. But it remains a crucial way to share details about your life and interests — a way to distinguish yourself beyond your grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities, even in the era of ChatGPT (more on that later).

Vox’s guide to college application season

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Admissions officers are looking to be entertained when reading application essays, White says. Of course, students should use their essay to showcase their curiosities, character, and point of view, but contrary to popular belief, these personal statements don’t need to recount devastating moments of painful growth. “You can be fun,” White says. “You don’t have to have trauma.”

There are a number of essays students will need to write as a part of their college application. Over 1 million students apply to college through the Common App , a streamlined platform that allows students to apply to multiple schools at once. There, students write a personal statement, usually between 500 and 650 words , centered on a student’s identity, beliefs, accomplishments, and interests, and can choose from among seven prompts for the 2024–25 application season. One prompt even allows the applicant to write about a topic of their choice. “Write the essay that your heart wants to write,” says college essay coach Cassandra Hsiao .

Individual colleges also ask for additional shorter pieces ( around 250 words ), also known as supplemental essays, which may ask applicants to explain why they’re applying to this specific school, and about their academic interests and extracurricular activities.

With so much to write, students need to dedicate serious time and effort — White suggests at least eight weeks — into crafting compelling and effective essays. Here’s what college essay pros want applicants to know.

Make sure your essays are unique to you

Students often put pressure on themselves to have a one-of-a-kind essay topic, White says. There are very few unique concepts, she continues, but what will set you apart is your way into the essay. Start strong with an attention-grabbing first sentence, experts say, that immediately hooks the reader.

Can’t decide what to write? Try these exercises.

Look around your house or room and pick 10 items that spark a memory — like a soccer trophy or a painting you made — and write them down. Or recount a typical day in your life in detail, from the music you listen to in the shower to the snack you grab before bed.

The point, Brook says, is to home in on things that you may think of as humdrum, but that you can use to tell a story about yourself.

Don’t discount minor details when thinking about extracurriculars and accomplishments. “When my kids are stuck, it’s a lot of chatting about things that they think don’t matter and then we typically come to something really great,” says Tyler.

Another tactic is picking five adjectives would you use to describe yourself, suggests White. Expand on each with an experience or memory.

Focus on developing a unique lens through which to see an event in your life, with an original point of view. These can be small moments, says Stacey Brook, the founder and chief adviser at College Essay Advisors . For example, one student she worked with wrote an essay about bonding with her mother during drives to gymnastics practice. After the student got her license and no longer had these moments with her mother, she wrote, she felt a sense of loss. “She was reflecting on what those drives meant to her and what it means to grow up and to gain things and lose them at the same time,” Brook says. “That’s the tiniest moment, the smallest slice of life out of which you can make an incredible essay.”

Even if you’re writing about a common topic, like school sports or lessons learned from an adult in your life, one way to differentiate your essay is to add dialogue, Hsiao says. “It’s in the specificity that only you can write because you went through that,” she says.

Avoid regurgitating your resume, Hsaio continues. Instead, lead the reader through a narrative arc showing your growth. You don’t need to explicitly state what you learned from the experience. Instead, use descriptive, scene-setting language — about how tense you were during that big game or your excitement when you stepped onto the stage — that shows how you’re different on the other side.

Again, you don’t need to share the worst thing that’s ever happened to you — or try to dramatize your life to make it seem more challenging than it is — but help the reader understand the effort you put in to get a new club off the ground, for example. “What you went through objectively might be really small on a global scale,” Hsiao says, “but because it felt big to you and I care about you as the writer, it will feel big to me.”

Don’t even think about copying from ChatGPT (or other generative AI)

While Brook understands the appeal of ChatGPT, experts say don’t use it to write your essay. College application reviewers will be able to tell.

The purpose of these pieces is to display your personality and writing ability and bots will never produce a unique, personalized essay. These chatbots use a style and tone that is immediately identifiable to readers, one that is rife with cliches and an awkward cadence, experts say.

Appropriate uses of generative AI include spell and grammar check or as a thesaurus. “Once you start pulling full paragraphs, you’re cheating,” White says. “It’s not your work.”

Tailor supplemental essays to each school

Depending on the school, you may be asked to write one or two shorter supplemental essays . These prompts may have similar themes, about your academic interests or how you relate to the people around you . For these essays, experts say you can reuse answers for multiple schools — but make sure you revise your answers to be specific to each school.

To ensure you’re tackling supplemental essays efficiently, Brook says to collect all of the prompts for the schools you’re applying to and see where they overlap. Hsiao suggests brainstorming three or four activities, obsessions or aspects of your life you know you want to showcase and try to match these topics to essay prompts. This can be anything from an extracurricular to your favorite TV show. “We are prioritizing what is important in our lives and then showcasing that by mixing and matching per school for the supplemental essay questions,” she says. For example, if you plan on writing about your future major for one college, adapt that essay to each school. However, make sure you’re researching each university and adding details about their specific program to your piece, Brook says.

For essays asking why you want to attend that specific college, ensure your answers are unmistakably catered to that school. “‘I love Delaware because I can’t wait to go to football games and pledge a sorority, and I’m excited about the business school.’ That is not going [cut it] because you could say that about Rutgers,” says Kyra Tyler , a senior director and college admissions consultant at Bright Horizons College Coach. Instead, pepper your answer with details about school traditions, an honors program you hope to join, interesting research opportunities or what you observed when you went on a tour (whether in person or virtual), Tyler says.

Tell a vivid story — and showcase your writing ability

Not only do your essays need to be of substance, but they should showcase style, too.

Tyler suggests students avoid metaphor: Don’t talk about caring for your younger sibling in the context of a Bluey episode — be straightforward. (“Kids can’t get away from [metaphors],” Tyler says, “and what happens is they get stuck under them, and they can’t write.”) You’ll want to write vividly using concrete examples instead of plainly spelling everything out, White says. For instance, if you were a camp counselor who helped a nervous child come out of their shell, write a scene showing the camper interacting with other kids rather than simply saying the camper was less reserved.

Write as if you were talking to your best friend, Tyler says. Avoid slang terms, but let your personality come through your writing. Try reading your essay aloud to see if it sounds like you.

Don’t forget about the basics, like good grammar, proper spelling, and word choice (make sure you’re not repeating similar words and phrases). You don’t need to focus on the five-paragraph structure, Hsiao says. Just make sure you’re telling a compelling story. Have a trusted adult, like a teacher or parent, read your essay to help point out style and structural issues you may have missed.

After you’ve completed a draft, set it aside for a few days, come back to it with fresh eyes for revisions, Tyler says.

College application essays are your chance to share who you were, who you are, and how this university will shape who you hope to be, Hsaio says. Focus on topics you want admissions officers to know and let your voice and passion carry the essay.

Correction, September 19, 11 am ET: A previous version of this story conflated the number of applicants with the number of applications sent through the Common App. Over 1 million students apply using the Common App.

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