Trauma and PTSD

Thoughts Hold Weight

Incoming sensory information takes one of two primary pathways in the brain. One pathway leads to the neocortex, which is more of the “thinking brain” where we make sense of the world. The other pathway, which stimulates the “fight or flight” response, leads to the autonomic, or peripheral, nervous system, which enables us to defend ourselves or flee when we perceive threat. There are times, however, when we may be unable to fight or flee under perceived threat, in which case we freeze. If we are not able to “thaw out” from a frozen state, if our body is not able to complete the necessary response or movement to feel empowered and safe, and if we were not able to fully feel our emotional response at the time of the traumatic event, we risk developing trauma or, in more extreme cases, post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD). Classic symptoms of trauma include: anxiety, nervousness or hypervigilance, an inability to think clearly under stress, dissociation, nightmares, insomnia, heightened startle response, emotional paralysis, outbursts of anger or rage, and feelings of powerlessness.

My treatment methods for trauma

The treatment methods I incorporate involve, first and foremost, developing a strong somatic, or bodily felt sense of “resources,” which were often missing at the time of the original trauma.  While we cannot provide the resource that was missing at the time, we may be able to bring up the memory of supportive people or a safe place in our current life, and deepen into the “felt sense” of this in the present moment. My approach to resolving trauma is tailored to the client. The primary focus is on establishing an internal locus of control and sense of empowerment, along with helping the body and emotions complete or “sequence” through what they were not able to complete at the time.

Real-life experience from a former client

For example, I worked with a veteran who had to constantly stay alert and keep his emotional responses at bay while at war, which helped him survive unimaginable circumstances. However, after returning, he was unable to sleep and had recurring nightmares. There were also times when he was unable to prevent incidents or help those who were injured, often fatally. His emotions were essentially frozen in time, and he had a profound sense of powerlessness. The first step was to help him find an internal “felt sense” of control by having him remember a time, prior to going to war, when he did feel strong and able to respond. Establishing an internally resourced state that he could come back to, prior to working with the memory of events, allowed the long-held emotions to move through his system without overwhelming him. By encouraging his body to naturally complete movements he was unable to complete at the time, such as pushing, kicking or running, he was finally able to sleep, nightmare free, after just a few sessions.

In conclusion

Our thoughts, based on past experience, can also trigger a trauma response.  If we have had the experience of not feeling safe, whether a chronic state rooted in childhood or from an acute traumatic event later in life, we may have the experience of not feeling safe when presented with a similar situation in present time—what I call a “state-specific” emotional response. Our mind may begin to churn and ruminate, creating a cascade of thoughts, which can intensify our emotions. I encourage clients to develop the ability to watch their minds, thought processes (mindfulness), and breath, which in turn helps the body and emotions return to a more resourced state.

To learn more about Trauma Therapy, contact me today.