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Trauma Defined
Trauma Defined
A holistic approach to trauma defines trauma not as an event, but rather as a disruption and overwhelm to our body-mind’s capacity to adapt, thrive, and flourish.
Trauma can occur when:
There is too much too soon
There is too much for too long
There is not enough for too long
Power and agency have been taken away from the person or collective
The stressors outweigh the resources available to navigate them
When our primal protective instincts, intuitions, and responses are thwarted
There is not enough time, space, or permission to heal
What Does Trauma Look & Feel Like?
What Does Trauma Look & Feel Like?
Trauma can manifest in various ways and its effects can differ greatly from person to person. Here's a general overview:
Emotional and Psychological Impact: Trauma often leads to intense emotional reactions such as fear, sadness, anger, or anxiety. Individuals may experience mood swings, feel numb, or have difficulty trusting others. They might also struggle with intrusive memories or flashbacks of the traumatic event.
Physical Symptoms: Trauma can manifest physically, leading to symptoms such as headaches, digestive issues, insomnia, or fatigue. Some individuals may also experience aches and pains without any underlying medical cause.
Cognitive Effects: Trauma can impair cognitive functioning, leading to difficulties with concentration, memory, and decision-making. It may also affect a person's perception of themselves and the world around them, leading to feelings of confusion or disorientation.
Behavioral Changes: Trauma can influence behavior, leading to changes in appetite, substance abuse, self-isolation, or reckless behavior. Some individuals may also experience hypervigilance or have difficulty relaxing or feeling safe.
Relationship Challenges: Trauma can impact relationships, leading to difficulties in forming and maintaining connections with others. Individuals may struggle with trust, intimacy, and communication, and they may withdraw from social interactions as a result.
Spiritual and Existential Questions: Trauma can also raise existential questions and challenges to one's beliefs and values. It may lead individuals to question the meaning of life, their purpose, or their sense of identity.
Attachment Wounds
Attachment Wounds
Attachment trauma refers to the emotional wounds and disruptions in healthy attachment that occur during critical periods of early development, typically in infancy and childhood. It results from experiences where a caregiver fails to provide consistent, reliable, and nurturing care, leading to an insecure attachment style.
Key characteristics of attachment trauma include:
Insecure Attachment Styles: Attachment trauma often leads to the development of insecure attachment styles, such as anxious-preoccupied, dismissive-avoidant, or fearful-avoidant. These styles can influence how individuals relate to others and perceive relationships throughout their lives.
Difficulty Trusting Others: Individuals who have experienced attachment trauma may have difficulty trusting others and forming secure attachments. They may fear abandonment or rejection and struggle to develop intimacy and close relationships.
Emotional Dysregulation: Attachment trauma can lead to difficulties in regulating emotions. Individuals may experience intense emotions, mood swings, or have difficulty managing stress and anxiety.
Challenges in Self-Identity: Attachment trauma can impact a person's sense of self and identity. They may struggle with low self-esteem, feelings of worthlessness, or a lack of a coherent self-concept.
Reenactment Patterns: Individuals who have experienced attachment trauma may unconsciously repeat relational patterns from their past in their adult relationships. This can manifest as seeking out relationships that mirror their early experiences or engaging in self-sabotaging behaviors.
Impact on Mental Health: Attachment trauma is often associated with various mental health challenges, including depression, anxiety disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and personality disorders.
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