When I use the word "trauma" it might cause some misunderstanding. To get stuck in fright or flight, all you need is severe stress plus feeling stuck or overwhelmed.
"having3 major surgerys, loss of 3 loved ones in 3 years a house foreclosure"
This is enough to qualify. I got in my situation from playing online poker. It was during a period when I was losing a lot of money and felt trapped/overwhelmed that it was never going to stop. Don't worry I don't have a gambling problem. I usually win!