The Loss of Illusions: The Potent Legacy of Trauma

Abstract The loss of illusions is a powerful consequence of traumatic life events. Fundamental assumptions about benevolence, meaning, and self-worth are illusions that are shattered by the traumatic experience. The illusory nature of these assumptions is understood in terms of over generalization of positive beliefs about the self and the world. Ultimately, survivors “correct” this overgeneralization in response to their traumatic victimization. In the process of exploring the loss of illusions, this article addresses the nature of traumatic versus ordinary change and the nature of coping and “recovery” in the aftermath of trauma.