How trauma shapes our capacity to anticipate the future

Trauma can significantly impact a person's ability to anticipate the future. Those who have suffered trauma often have a limited or nonexistent view of the future, as they have learned not to think about it due to the continuation of their trauma in the present and past. Understanding the anticipatory mechanisms and heuristics that shape our anticipation is crucial, especially for individuals who have experienced trauma. By recognizing and exploring these mechanisms, we can break the cycle of repeating past experiences and open ourselves up to new possibilities. Additionally, the Western view of understanding trauma from a rational perspective is not the only approach. There are alternative ways of processing trauma and relating to the future that offer different perspectives on time. This broader understanding of time allows for a more nuanced discussion about anticipation, futures, and our relationship with time.