Each of these stories describes the same event, as experienced by three different people. All can be called traumatic and all offer insight into what exactly can be called a trauma.

'I was not expecting the attack so I was not prepared to defend myself. The rebels cut my leg with a panga. Now I don't want to see or go near a panga. Whenever I see one, I remember clearly the ambush as if it was happening all over again. At night I have trouble sleeping, and I do not like eating very much. I will never forget that day of the ambush.'

'I was always worried about rebel ambushes and whether I would be able to protect my children. Then one day we were ambushed on the road. There was screaming and confusion and we all ran. I lost sight of my young son and did not know what had happened to him for many hours. Some children were abducted but my son hid and returned home later. Now I cannot walk along that road without constantly watching the bushes. I fear another attack and jump whenever I see quick movement, even if it is just leaves moving in the wind. I do not want my children to go anywhere without me. '

'My older brother was taken by the rebels when they ambushed us. I was scared when the Rebels chased us, so I ran. Afterwards, I could not stop shaking and crying for a few hours. Now I cannot sleep because of nightmares about the attack and about what the rebels are doing to my brother. I do not want to leave home to go to school. I just want to stay inside.'

(AVSI 2003, P.15)