Travma

Travma is a term used in several languages to denote injury or distress arising from an adverse event. In many medical and psychological contexts, it corresponds to the English word trauma. The spelling travma is common in languages such as Turkish, Russian, and various Slavic language families, where it denotes both physical injury and traumatic experiences.

Etymology and usage: The word derives from Greek trauma, meaning wound or injury, and reached many languages through medical and scientific vocabulary. In everyday use, travma can refer to bodily injuries as well as the broader psychological impact of disturbing events, depending on the language and medical context.

Physical trauma: Physical trauma refers to bodily injuries caused by external forces, such as vehicle crashes, falls, assaults, or burns. Clinical care often follows trauma protocols that emphasize rapid assessment and stabilization, imaging, and timely interventions. Trauma is typically categorized as blunt trauma, penetrating trauma, or polytrauma when multiple injuries occur.

Psychological trauma: Psychological trauma describes the emotional, cognitive, and physiological responses to overwhelming or life-threatening experiences. It can contribute to disorders such as post-traumatic stress disorder and acute stress disorder. Management may involve trauma-focused psychotherapy (for example, cognitive-behavioral therapy or EMDR), supportive care, and, when appropriate, pharmacotherapy.

Regional usage and notes: Travma is a standard spelling in several non-English languages, whereas English generally uses trauma. In multilingual medical documentation, the term may appear in its local spelling or in the English form, depending on the language setting.