The treatment of trauma can be some of the most complex work practitioners face.
And for years, this challenge was complicated by not having a clear picture of the impact that trauma has on the brain.
But scientific advances within just the past few years have opened the eyes of practitioners to what actually happens in the brain of someone who has experienced trauma.
And according to Bessel van der Kolk, MD, there are three major ways that the brain changes in response to trauma.
To find out what they are (and their impact on the body), take a look at the video below – it’s just 3 minutes.
Bessel is one of the world’s leading experts in trauma and PTSD. Because of his research, we have a deeper understanding of how trauma impacts both body and brain.
And this is crucial – it can help us target our interventions more effectively.
So now, we’d like to hear from you . . .
When it comes to the treatment of trauma, what do you want to know most? Please leave your comment below.
I find I still shut down under any stressors with my biological family. My brother had physically abused me with life threatening situations as a young teen. No protection from parents. Very sarcastic family including younger sisters. I am 69 years old and I literally don’t remember my words in family interactions today. Is this a symptom of the ptsd from childhood.
OK thanks to Bessel!
I experienced a trauma and all those symptoms that Bessel mentioned were true for me. What was exceptional in my case was that I had been deliberately targeted by a criminal person and I knew there was a terrible injustice. Because I was virtually speechless (hysterical was the diagnosis!), no one would believe me – lawyers, doctors, psychiatrists etc. I had worked with trauma victims previously as a Social Worker, and knew how to help them. So I applied this to myself as my first task was to heal myself, not worry about the injustice and horrible stuff being put on me by others.
I moved to a peaceful location in the forest, and a safe location. There is no noise here to upset my nerves so I can sleep with out medication. I eat good food, relax my thoughts, enjoy whatever I am able to enjoy when the opportunity arises. I lost my job and earning capacity, but had to accept that. I do not want to go back to this work again, as it has scary reminders, but now am looking for something else to do to occupy my time. I wonder if changing my country of residence may help me further.
What are the most effective therapies for trauma?
Awesome story once again. I am looking forward for more updates.
Originally, after a psychotic break & hospitalization in ’94/mid-20’s, I was diagnosed with “PTSD Acute & Delayed” and Bipolar Disorder. My psychopharm from 97-2000 strongly questioned the bipolar disorder. He sent me for a new psych evaluation in 2000, which reported I have ‘anxiety directly proportionate to the level of ambiguity in any situation, to the point of psychosis’. I continued to be medicated for bipolar and PTSD through 2009 when my psychiatrist of 10 years finally changed my diagnosis (and meds) to ‘PTSD, Panic Disorder with Agorophobia, and Depression’. It took that long for me to find the words to explain that a “force” made it impossible to leave the house or my room, especially on weekends and other unstructured times. I experienced lots of dissociation, flooding, overstimulated nervous system, and difficulty organizing thoughts, and unknown triggers of what I now know as ’emotional flashbacks’ from Peter Levine’s excellent book on CPTSD. This book also helped me recognize ‘abandonment depression’. In 2012 and 2014 I experienced retraumatization resulting in new PTSD crisis. Exacerbated symptoms were obsessive perfectionism, severe deteriorization of functioning/ADL’s, and absolutely frustrating, uncontrollable pressured and tangential speech. A 2014 hospitalization at McLean added the missing piece to my diagnostic puzzle–in a revised diagnosis in this order: “PTSD, Panic Disorder w/agorophobia, Depression NOS, Obsessive Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) and possibly Depressive Personality Disorder’. So it seems in ’94 they mistook my OCPD behavior as “mania” and the psychotic break as bipolar driven vs. as result of major PTSD event which triggered and exacerbated OCPD and thought processing problems/pressured, tangential speech. This along with scouring the internet on CPTSD and reading Levine’s work finally helped me wrap my head around what was wrong with me, why I wasn’t bouncing back faster, and why over a 4 year search I couldn’t find a doctor or therapist who knew how to treat me. Now that I’ve relatively improved and trying to get myself off Disability (and the Medicare SSDI forces on you with that) but that is not accepted by even mediocre psychiatrists and therapists, let alone those MH treatment teams who have been trained in the profound differences between PTSD and CPTSD. Present day: I’ve isolated myself so severely especially in the past 4 years that I’m in desparate need of a therapist…to help me in part to build a support system; AND a MH doctor or prescriber because my primary care doctor just refused to renew any of my psychopharm meds now that I lost my interim psychiatrist\prescriber when MassHealth/Medicaid dropped me because I could no longer afford to pay its premium on top of my mandatory Medicare premium. I feel like a case study for CPTSD. I feel for all beings who do not have access to sufficient treatment and providers for their PTSD suffering–whether it’s PTSD or CPTSD. The expertise is out there but so rare/inaccessible. Do you know if writers and participants in the Mental Health reform movement are incorporating new research, understanding and new treatment recommendations into MH reform and resulting legislation?
I hope the fruits of your work and more updated PTSD & CPTSD understanding is the foundation of medical training and MH Reform. Is Medicare even addressing the fact that CPTSD-sufferers don’t have access to required help and treatment because they refuse to reimburse Providers properly for their services. Massachusetts pilot program OnePlan/Commonwealth Care Alliance was building a decent model that included providing PTSD and other MH patients a team of community support person, case manager, therapist and psychiatrist in these acute PTSD patients. But even they could not get access to the kind doctors and therapists required. How do we ensure every PTSD/CPTSD patient gets access to providers with the latest and best, in depth knowledge and training in this field? SO many are suffering needlessly and alone even though there’s been so many advances in understanding how PTSD impacts the body & mind, for how long, and what treatments are effective only for PTSD (e.g. EMDR) vs…. what are the new treatment protocols for CPTSD? Thank you.
as a child ignored, rejected and emotionally terrorized by my father, all unprocessed by me then, I became, as 1 DR told me, with anxiously frozen thoughts and feelings. I rarely had a warmth feeling come and go in my chest, but somehow, the flight feelings to bed, when I awoke, made me feel strong in my limbs so I diid not cry out my earlier emotional hurt.
Later, as a college student, LSD brought terroristic voices and hallucinations after my head directed – fake it till you make it feelings were wiped away.
Question: as a 66 yr old. a caring and compassionate, never hostile man, HOW can I rebirth feelings of warm love and joy? overcome the depression/anxiety of self judgement about their lack? and regain once mental acumen and groove I had until this all came down on me these l last few yrs?
Why even in Boston, one of the medical capitals of the world, is it so difficult to find psychiatrists, psychopharmacologists, and psychologist and social worker therapists that specialize or simply have good understanding in CPTSD and how it (and its viable treatment options) differs from PTSD? Will CPTSD be added to the DSM any time soon? Thank you for the important work you do.
I found this very informative. I have suffered PTSD most of my life and I am fully aware of the reasons for this state which helps me to understand why I have felt so disconnected and unable to fully appreciate and participate in life. Thank you. Dianne
this is so great.
I think that the alternative / healing options should also be offered. as in neuroplasticity, acupressure, meditation, to name a few
My trauma started 13 months old, burned badly by boiling water I remember that event,. my trauma continued two and a half maybe 3 years of age raped by Uncle. Watch the mother could pick up countless of times she was married 13 times. Had to run away from home at 11 because her boy friends and neighbors were coming in and raping me. And she with her alcohol breath wake me up by slapping me awake because her house was not clean enough. She always interrupted my sleep. Trauma continued until my mid-twenties of course married an abusive husband church people hid my children while I was put Domestic Violence Shelter and learned how never to be hit again. Stress has been very hard with a mother who was a malignant narcissist… And now I deal with an emotionally vacant husband 21 years. I guess my question is who was I supposed to be and how do find that person?
I gave birth to my daughter (now 42) when I was 18 – she was conceived when her father raped me. II was forced to marry him to save myself from shame in our small town. 18 years of DV followed and two more children. My eldest daughter has significant issues with me, blaming me because I was not a loving mother to her (this is true, I struggled) and she frequently triggers and is verbally abusive to me. I do what I have always done when people hurt me = I run away and hide. Each of my children is very opinionated and critical of their childhood, although I looked after them, they were never hungry or neglected. Each day I dealt with an alcoholic partner who beat me up. Instead of being supportive, they are angry. The youngest daughter is the more compassionate, although she is emotionally cold at times. Rejection is a big thing for me as I was rejected by my birth mother. Right now I’m giving up on maintaining relationships with my daughter (and her children) because it’s too hard. I can never change things now now matter how much I say I’m sorry this has happened.
My son Alex, now 26 years old was involved in a car accident just before his sixth birthday. He suffered a fractured femur and a closed head injury. The repercussions of this accident, when he was hit by a car whilst crossing the road, have proved tremendously difficult for him. He struggles with PTSD, anxiety and depression. Just very recently I bought him a guitar, hoping that playing it would bring some joy in his life. He has to overcome his self-doubts just to pick it up. But slowly he’s getting there.
What can you do to ease the anxiety on a day-to-day basis? I think this is the question that’s most important for anyone who’s been involved in a traumatic event. Everybody tries as best they can to find their own ways to cope. Music is one way.
Thank you for the research you’re doing, it’s extremely important.
Marelle
Hi have experienced a number of different trauma’s over my lifetime. Hospitalized for long periods of time during the first three months getting necessary eye surgery to same my sight. Molested twice at age 7 and 13. Survived stalking/rape at 27 as well as several head traumas related to car accidents and a severe TBI at 38. All of these incidents combined have created a host of issues and problems physically, mentally, emotionally and medicalically.
The effects of these traumas have caused a number of problems: Chronic Pain; Attention Deficit; Damage to my Pituitary that has caused further biological deficits with Thyroid, Cortisol and other hormones; Abductor Spasmodic Dysphonia (loss of my voice); Profound Hearing Loss/Nerve Deafness including Tinnitus, Earworm & Musical Hallucinations.
They have ruled m life to many different extents (mild to severe) good days and bad, but what I have found is that just knowing WHAT I am experiencing is helpful in knowing that I’M NOT CRAZY! and that there is a reason WHY things have changed. I am very grateful to my family for support and for the doctors/therapist that did not give up on me and believed when I said “Something is wrong”. It is weirdly comforting to know that I have not lost my mind, but have altered brain chemistry due to multiple traumatic experiences, and I’M NOT ALONE.
My mother immigrated over during the Vietnam War. I know she has a lot of undiagnosed trauma – this has had ongoing effects on myself and my brother, both in our relationships with each other, and also with our depression and anxiety. Have there been successful treatments of individuals from cultures who find therapy or treatment unnecessary, even superfluous? From individuals who deny that they even need help? In Asian culture, not talking about the past is a socialized characteristic – how do we even begin to help something who denies they need help?
It is helpful to understand how the brain responds to truma.
I found the points he described were valid.
Thank You, Suzanne
Hi Ruth,
Somehow this email turned up in my inbox and I found Bessel Van Der Kolk video interesting.
I own and run HorseHand Training Center in Australia, which was set up to teach Humans about horses and horses about humans. We have been operating for 10 years now and over this time I have come to realize the most important thing about this process is the relationship between the horse and human. I am what they call a horse whisperer and have been studying communication between horses and humans for 38 years. It is the transformation of the human that quietens the horse. In the past we have attracted a lot of people young and old with varying mental emotional and physical disabilities. We have had extraordinary results and see changes in people’s lives for the better. I have observed frightened, anxious people overcome their fear and connect with love and compassion building on that to become strong leaders within themselves. I have worked with police officers and juveniles suffering from PTSD with awesome results. You see they cannot resist the influence of a balanced grounded horse. We work with our horse in a way they can develop naturally and are comfortable and respectful around humans. The horses presence demands the participants undivided attention on a physical mental and emotional level. Only then true communication can begin in their natural state and help strengthen the areas of our being that are not balanced.
Rather than going straight to the perceived problem which has side effects and can cause other problems the healing grows as the relationship is developed between the human and the horse and filters through into other parts of the person’s life. In this worldly learning environment connecting to the nature of the horse we can develop self awareness skills to help us navigate all areas of our life.
Science is currently working on proving Equine assisted learning. Instead of spending time trying to prove it we just get on with it and have already put hundreds of people through horsemanship sesions with life changing results.
Not every horse has the ability to become what I call a life teacher. Our horses are selected on breed, upbringing, life experience and emotional fitness.
Sessions are held by experienced horsemen who have had extensive training in the areas of personal development
Perfect work you have done, this website is really cool with wonderful information.
I Iwo!d like to know if these changes are reversible and possible to heal , or changes are irreversible and person need to adjust somehow?
What about if trauma is not known, what is tbe approach in such a case?
I’ve suffered with PSTD for all of my life and I cant even remember how I stumbled upon your website. As a young teenager I was promiscuous, then I found drugs, after that I was in abusive relationships and than I just swithched off. I have a daughter which has been both amazing and totally devestating with how my PTSD has creeped into our relationship. The information in these articles arrived at just the right time and has been incredibly helpful. By silencing my inner critic I was able to begin to deal with my deep feelings of shame and low self worth which has allowed the healing of my Inner Self. Learning self love after PSTD is tough. I do struggle with keeping my body calm, but I am beggining mindfulness techniques and its helping. But none of my healing would have been possible without achieving this through a loving , forgiving and totally acceptable partner. I dont think we can heal out of this context. By silencing my own inner critic I was able to give my daughter the love and confidence that she deserved. We are all understanding how to recognise and deal with the complex symptoms of PTSD.
Sharni, you’re an inspiration! Always keep trying, I’ll be here to catch you if you fall.
The three minute video by Bessel van der Kolk, MD was interesting but i’m wondering (and i’m guessing here)… did he mean
#1. hypervigalence?
#2. concentration problems?
#3 intense emotion management?
I’m a retired psych RN but I have been diagnosed with major depression and anxiety/panic disorders. I’m currently in therapy and take medication to alleviate the symptoms related to my illness. I’ve experienced severe traumatic episodes beginning in my childhood. My question is why does talking about these past events seem detrimental to my treatment ? I understand the video and the points made but often feel that repeatedly talking about the same events only makes me feel worse. I don’t find this therapeutic in my casei even though I know admitting the problem is a step toward processing it in my mind. I think therapy is something that will eventually make this less debilitating but what about my medication in conjunction with it?
Hi Paula,
I am a sufferer as well.
One of the articles on this website deals with that, I think. One therapist I went to tried regression therapy…needless to say I never went back. I believe the article said that revisiting these memories was far from helpful. We need to reveal our pain to someone who will be able to give us back total love and acceptance and make us FEEL self love instead of shame. Therapy does help but its just one part of a difficult puzzle. The shame is a hard one to beat I have found. I hope you find peace.
Check out some of Peter Levine’s work. He has formulated a trauma treatment called Somatic Experience. It is all about supporting healing of the nervous system, and not much about talking about and reliving traumatic experiences. As a person with PTSD and a complex traumatic past, I have found this kind of counselling to be immensely helpful.
I want to know why each time i engage in conscious thoughts about my abusive past, by watching your videos etc, I get flooded by past memories, and can’t take in what you are saying. They over ride what i want to hear. It is really annoying that all that happens is that I re-traumatise myself.
Is EMDR a way to get over trauma? I have done it for a while with someone very experienced and I can’t say that I’m feeling much progress. I’m getting more serious about meditation lately and I’m hoping that will help. Also why do I keep seeking trauma types of videos on the net. I can’t seem to stop.
Thanks for the video. Very interesting.
How do you treat it…
I’m interested in interventions which are most effective to evoke neurological change, and decrease symptoms of PTSD. Also interventions to address panic disorder. Thank you!
What is the best treatment?
Can 1)loosing something that was dear to you create the same trauma? A dog for instance that was your closest companion for years and who suffered the last months of his life and you could not help him enough? or something completely different 2) such as an abusive relationship?
I’m working with a woman whose mother became seriously ill when she was about 18. She was her primary caretaker for four years until she died. Ten years later she still suffers from full blown PTSD. So it makes sense to me that this could be the case for your client. Especially if they had few coping skills or strong human relationships to begin with.
Knowing these things about trauma, I want to know how one can then reprogram the brain. If trauma can cause this change, then surely the brain can be changed to another, healthier way of coping. Consequently, medication should never be a solution for people who have trauma lesions, for that’s like putting a band-aid over an abscess – one needs to get rid of the lesion, not patch it up. Talk therapy may work, but can take decades to alleviate symptoms of trauma. Is there a proven method yet to change the trauma injured brain, e.g., neurofeedback, EMDR?
I experienced extreme trauma as a child, and as a result, PTSD, which I didn’t know was what was happening to me until I read your article. After going all kinds of hell as a teenager and adult, undergoing treatments with antipsychotic meds (which my mind and body did not handle well), I was released once from the hospital this one time that I was in there. I was living on my own at the age of 31 for the first time in my life, and began recalling things that happened to me in vitro, at very early infancy, early childhood, and blackouts that I’d had as an adult. I went to see a psychologist. I’m living with my Dad now, and older sister. They are mentally abusive. I feel like I’m losing my grip on reality again. I just cling to my belief in God, and hope He still loves me. I reassure myself with promises from the Bible, like, “Yes, I have loved you with an eternal love.” Jeremiah 31:3.
I know, I know. You’re next step is to say that one who has undergone traumatic events and developed PTSD should be prescribed some kind of drug or drugs that have side effects and create further trauma.
I wouldnt say that Suzanne. Love and self love will heal you. God is unconditional in his love. You are beautiful for sharing.
Thank you for your resources and information!! 🙂
I was traumatized as a child by an abusive mother. When we were toddlers, she would yank us off our feet, beat us about the head and body, then throw us into a wall, or across a room. It’s terrifying to have no control over your body in the face of such rage.
Now, I have a partner who loves to “play wrestle” and cannot understand my visceral physical reaction to being grabbed and flung about playfully. She feels it is a “trust” issue between us. I disagree. It is not a rational, reasoning reaction. It is much more reptile brain.
Is there a way to overcome this bodily reaction? It’s like a “muscle memory” that completely takes my breath away, and throws me into terror. : (
Does the current treatment for trauma and PTSD work?
I am a Sandplay Therapist, which brings the client into a body mind experience and a gentle way of allowing them to see their trauma as a 3D picture. The emotion that is attached to the trauma is then easier to comprehend, experience and verbalize. I also use Mindfulness to bring clients into a here and now experience, this has been used in PTSD successfully. If has been shown through MRI scans to create new neural pathways when combined with MiCBT. This covers the many aspects Dr van der Kolk spoke of – narrowed perception, fear driven, inability to fully engage in life, blunt experience of self etc. Sandplay & Mindfulness is a great combination to move towards an broader perspective, examine life and feel yourpain held by your body.
I was 4 years old when my brother died before his 2nd birthday. My mother used to have me watch my brother and we were very close. I remember not understanding why he died even tho I knew he had an illness. I often wonder if this trauma has something to do with why my relationships never work out. I try to be a kind-hearted compassionate person. I am not sure how to tell if I have suffered trauma or not, but my root chakra is closed and so is my throat chakra.
I would appreciate the neurochemical and physiological information being more precise and technical. I understand that the layman might not be interested, but those people may if they wish discard words that are too long for them to understand. I’m very interested in the basis of trauma, and believe that the psychobiological basis is also the locus of improvement. Please don’t “dumb down” your entries for us.
Can’t you also take in and understand a version not laden with extensive wording?
Thank you for doing this important work. After a car crash, I heard Richard Nixons’ voice proclaiming, “I am Richard Milhouse Nixon and I am not a thief!” This went on for months and I was ashamed to tell my therapist about it. One day I felt I was missing something, I checked for keys, credit cards, ID — it was all there. Then I realized I didn’t hear Richard and I broke down crying so hard that people stopped to see if they could help. I couldn’t tell them that I had lost Richard Nixon, though I did finally report it to my therapist who said it was from the concussion and that my brain was still healing. After losing Richards’ voice, I began to see and hear deceased ancestors and loved ones so I began studying genealogy and was reconnected to my family roots. It turns out that Nixon is a cousin! I had many other incidents from the ‘brain hijacking’ some horrifying, some consoling, but unfortunately none of the audiology/sensory overload resulted in the revelation of the winning lottery numbers.
So how do you actually address or mitigate those physiological reactions/habituations in the brain created by trauma such as hyper alertness, diffused or misdirected attention/perception and distorted self awareness ?
Many people experience Trauma as they are born or shortly after, It seems the majority of people. How are the newborn babies treated and how can we know if the treatment is working?
Also is there a way of finding out a persons original trauma and if this trauma is healed does it heal the others or do they all need to be healed individually?
Is there a treatment out there aimed at giving power back to the body and perhaps reducing some of the fear response. I’m thinking of physical work, like self defense training, or dancing. I’m wanting something that might provide a sense of power and control over the body, as opposed to most therapy sessions which focus more on how to manage thoughts s feelings in a controlled setting.
This info was very helpful – thank you!
I want to know how I can help my own family members who had traumatic childhood experiences a long time ago start healing from them and become integrated to the “normal” ways of handling situations.
I have had two bad traumas as a child — death of my mother at age 6 and child sexual abuse by my father; I have recently experienced narcissistic abuse at the hands of a male boss. My abuse at the hands of my father has traumatized me for life as I don’t have good relationships with men and never have. I’m in counseling and have been off and on for over 33 years, with several different ones. No one has helped me get over the trauma of that because it still keeps happening to me! Who can I look to for any type of help? I wonder if you’ll even answer this. Most times I never hear back.
That sounds like my life. I believe it’s a never ending battle within ourselves, that we strive each day to overcome. I believe in GOD and try to rely more on him every day. I’m sorry that those things happened to you, but know you’re not alone.
We all sing the same song. What can we do to stop the perpetrators??
PTSD 5 yrs. ago after having to sue my employers (well-known physicians), even though we settled out of court I was devastated. Shortly afterwards I was diagnosed with StageIV Lung Cancer (never smoked).
Removal of lung, but still battling for the other lung. At this point, I still am struggling with telling people my story and having my body react. Blood pressure is perfect until I rehash my experience. I even had to go into my old medical building the other day to see another Dr. and couldn’t believe how my body was so terrified. Trying to resolve the hurt even while typing this isn’t easy. I have had therapy with little results. Still looking for a healthy way to resolve this issue. What a waste of time and energy. Looking for an answer.
Medical trauma over 10 years, 45 major abdominal surgeries, 12 of them emergencies. This is my daughter. Close death at let 5 times. Even I have PTSD over it. Is it possible to deal with ongoing medical trauma? She is trying to get her life back together after Ulcerative Colitis where her colon ruptured, and all the blockages and infections and side effects of both the procedures and medicines.Very hard to find adequate treatment in Northeast PA. Any suggestions where to go for extreme medical PTSD? Preferably on the east coast.
I want to know that someone out there truly cares and loves me. I want to know that I have the strength, resources, altitude, patience, endurance, and self trust to dissolve past traumas. I want to know that I can achieve Vipisana mindfulness, to get altitude on the situation and put it in perspective.
I want to know that I have a helping hand.
I want to know that I heal when I heal, that it takes the time it takes, and that I can embrace patience.
They do. You do. You can. acceptance gives rise to perspective and patience. You are exactly where you are supposed to be. You are right on time and ok. Peace be unto you.
My daughter 23 had a motor cycle accident earlier this year and has proved difficult to diagnose, however she has a vague diagnosis of Mild Traumatic Brain Injury. She suffered some physical issues in relation to mobility,speech and fine motor skills. Of more concern is her whats going on (or not going on in her head). It is as though she has reverted to a 10 year old, she struggles with normal tasks, her memory is terrible and she has n o motivation. She fees lost. I would like to know how best to help her.
Goodness! Encouragment, patience, gentle reminders of seriousness, little accomplishments every day. Im so glad you are here, it will come, be patient, you got this, it’s ok, you are ok, i love you, you got this.
I am glad you still have your precious daughter. You got this mom. Many blessings to you both!
Your daughter more likely has a traumatic brain injury from her accident. Each brain injury is unique There are many medical professionals who aren’t familiar with diagnosing and treating brain injury. Go to the national brain injury site to start your journey in learning more. Best wishes for you and your daughter
Great article. I like finding out how my trauma has for real changed me. I watched my now ex-husband go flying out of a roller coaster ride a couple years ago. I was sitting next to him. His brain injury changed him as well. Physically he recovered well but he was a very different person. Not at all interested in how I had been traumatized. I slept in his hospital room for three months-it was a life-changing experience. I get how TBI can cause a marriage to break down and change all kinds of family dynamics. I need to understand how my brain was affected as well. His injuries were really bad and I am happy that he is alive. My quality of life has been changed drastically and I get validation from learning how PTSD works. It allows me to accept the reality of our brain injuries. I really get the hypervigilance and fear-in a moment something really shitty can happen-random violence that completely rearranges your life. I see a counselor, journal, do whatever I can to stay connected, and take some medications that have helped. Again, great reading
For me, I needed hope that I could mentally/emotionally heal and that I could be “me” again. I craved connection despite feeling disconnected. Now, I think it thru clearly, “do I really feel danger”. I needed to feel safe and believed/heard. There are dangers, but not everything I think or feel pertains to what I know at this present time. I am safe and I can be safe and I am safe now. The other problem when feeling like is food. I needed regular nutritious food. It kept my blood sugar more even, therefore it helped me think better. I personally forgot to eat. I needed my therapist to tell me she honestly cared and she did. She even gave me her personal phone number. I didn’t call her, but maybe 2-3 times. I didn’t want to disturb her during her time off. A few times she reminded me to call if I needed her. I didn’t abuse it, but it made me feel more cared for. I’m sure I cried when she hugged me the first time. I still want to choke up when I think about it. She truly saved my life. She just recently retired, but I can contact her if I want too. Hurting people just need acceptance and love and a new guidance to heal. Hard work, but acceptance.
I journaled, filled out sheets about changing my thought patterns while learning to stand up for myself. Sometimes, I didn’t know why I cried, but my therapist would remind me what we talked about. Then I slowly started connecting what was said previously to my crying, then we worked on fear triggers. It is amazing how the mind can heal. I am very amazed.
How is psychedlid/drug trauma different.. for example being drugged or accidently taking something and now thinking that everything you consume has the drug in it.
What is the simplest everyday methods to resolve and dig up and let go of trauma
A good therapist to hold your hand and help you resolve your fears
My trauma emerged from being 3 at 66 previously a lot of horrible less significant stuff at five was recalled without affective change at 31. Now at 66 I feel I am in hell my brain body and soul are on fire. This regaining of experience has become possible because of discovering a gluten sensitivity and a genetic defect that means I can’tsynthesize folate and had only 25% of three key neurotransmitters in my brain prior to supplementation. My question is this I have lost my pretrauma 3 year old happy painter self Eileen and my big Maggy the mother and little Maggy the wife and writer Linda. Now I don’t know who I am. I am empty but rational and in Pain. I have never knowm pain before. I have a good therspist now who underdtands trauma after 20 years with a political activist therapist from hell. I am told my other parts are terrified and hiding but I felt actual electocution type shock when the last one left. Will I ever feel happy again? The world is almost mundane and I am si dark inside. My life was magical until 65 now in the last three months I am a different person. Will I regain love and joy.
? Thank you for the work you do Maggy James
Yes Maggie James, you are scared and that’s ok. You are changing for the better, but it’s different. I promise, the hard work you are doing now will bring the joy back you once had. You are going thru difficulties, but keep working to paddle to the other side. You may feel you have a long way to go, but one day the sun will shine again, but even brighter than before. Hang in their Maggie! You are not paddling alone.