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I think most people lack what it takes to look directly into the horror. This has been described by philosophers from one angle or another all throughout history. Plato talked about the cave, and the fate of those who returned to free the others or failed to handle adjusting to the light. I think more pungently, and pertinently, Nietzsche described almost with pity the fate of those who are driven to "descend into the molten pit of human reality." Eventually the flames become too hot, and they are driven back, emerging "only" as "burnt children". Eternal orphans in empires of illusion. In another version their eyes are burnt out by the light of the truth, and they come to know eternal darkness.
I think there is a definite trauma component. Trauma and adaptation are always framed in terms of a gradual descent into necessitated self delusion, ie, a departure and diminishing of access to reality. I think it can be the inverse, that trauma is required to put away the parts of oneself that cause you to pull back as you near the truth. Only with this influence gone, with no way forward and no way back, can you begin to go to the uncomfortable places. The modern world has trained people to label these people in various ways, and nullify their influence, locking out these avenues. Which is of course about control, like everything else.
Well, good luck everyone.
