Trauma can affect a person cognitively, emotionally, physically, and socially. “The effects of unresolved trauma can be devastating,” says Meadows Senior Fellow Dr. Peter Levine. “It can affect our habits and outlook on life, leading to addictions and poor decision-making. It can take a toll on our family life and interpersonal relationships. It can trigger real physical pain, symptoms, and disease. And it can lead to a range of self-destructive behaviors.”