Narrating Gender and Trauma: An Introduction

Trauma, just like other psychosomatic concepts in medical history such as shock and stress, has been subjected to a variety of interpretations across disciplines since it emerged in the nineteenth century as a notion to capture previously undiagnosed or misdiagnosed psychological experiences and conditions which became increasingly visible in modern societies and cultures. Yet, trauma remains a highly contested term that has seen numerous redefinitions as its place in popular and medical discourse is continuingly under scrutiny.