Getting Unstuck – Trauma and the Path to Healing

The first step on the path to healing from traumatic experiences is learning what trauma is. 

 

Trauma Defined

To be human is to go on a complex journey. Over a lifetime, we experience a variety of positive and negative experiences that shape the way we see the world in which we live, the way we see others, and the way we see ourselves. When an intensely negative experience happens to us- this is called a trauma. Originating from the Greek language, the word literally means “a wound, a hurt; [or] a defeat”. Trauma is also defined as a “psychic wound, [an] unpleasant experience which causes abnormal stress.” 

 

Traumas are Personal

Often, we are acutely aware we have experienced a trauma when events such as war, disease, child abuse, physical or sexual assault, domestic violence, car or other accidents, death of a loved one, or other shocking events or prolonged grief, happen to us. Yet, the level of impact these events have on us are individual. For instance, trauma is personal because although people experience similar wounds, a person’s temperament, upbringing, health, living conditions, access (or lack of) supportive resources, perceptions, as well as a host of other variables,  determine the severity of the aftermath. Indeed, whether or not a person feels safe enough to talk about their experiences can also be a major contributor to their overall health outcome, especially with childhood trauma. 

 

What Trauma Looks Like 

Perhaps the word has become so overused, we believe we know what trauma is, what it looks like, and if traumatic experiences have happened to us. However, when an individual is truly traumatized, the indicators are quite marked and life-interrupting. Specifically, there are physiological, as well as psychological signs. The diagnostic term for someone who is severely adversely affected is post-traumatic stress disorder or (PTSD). However, not every person who experiences a shocking event will develop PTSD. A medical practitioner, licensed therapist or counselor, or respected therapeutic book will be able to help you label what you are going through. Below are lists of physiological (body) and psychological (mind) symptoms many traumatized individuals experience. 

 

Physiological Signs of Trauma

  • Increased heart rate 
  • Increased blood pressure
  • Whooshing sound in the ears
  • Vision disturbances 
  • Distorted hearing 
  • Body tension
  • Shaking
  • Hyperventilating, irregular breathing 
  • Uncontrollable or abrupt crying
  • Shaking
  • Hypoesthesia (numbness)
  • Sleeplessness or too much sleeping
  • Bed Wetting
  • Startles easily 

 

Psychological Signs of Trauma 

  • Intrusive thoughts, flashbacks
  • Nightmares
  • Suicidal ideation 
  • Hypervigilance
  • Avoiding people, places, or situations
  • Negative thoughts
  • Hopelessness
  • Depression
  • Anxiety
  • Trouble trusting 
  • Lack of interest in things
  • Trouble concentrating
  • Irritability
  • Angry outbursts, aggressive behavior
  • Overwhelming guilt or shame

 

 

Why Trauma Haunts Our Brain

When we experience a shocking, violent, or distressing event, it changes the way we see the world, our emotions, even how we experience our own bodily sensations. According to a 2006 study by NIH, this happens because trauma mainly affects three important parts of our brain: the amygdala, which is the emotional and instinctual center; the hippocampus, which controls memory; and the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for regulating emotions and impulses. All three parts work together to manage stress. Although this content is difficult for laypeople to understand, we can best describe it as our mind getting stuck. Put another way, our brains are puzzle solvers, and they are on duty around the clock! As a result, trauma can feel like psychological torture. Our psyche is on warp speed trying to solve the riddle of the devastating event we experienced. 

How Trauma Shapes Us

For many, experiencing a traumatic event alters a number of different aspects of their life. These include identity formation, nervous system functioning, sense of self-worth, personality, relationship with self, relationships with others, how we view the world, how we view love, what we believe is possible, sleep, our overall health, day-to-day life, levels of creativity, and hope for the future. When considering such a list, it would seem imperative that we respect the significance traumatic events can have on individuals. Furthermore, think of how this is compounded when trauma is experienced broadly in entire communities, or pervasively within generations.  

 

Trauma Is Common

According to global studies, 70% of humans experience experience a traumatic life event. For many, the wound is so shocking and unpleasant, the brain submerges the details to a subconscious level. Or there are some that decide they wish to “get back to normal” as quickly as possible. Therefore they choose to press the memories down and not talk about it. Moreover, in some communities, individuals who experience assault or war crimes are further traumatized if they choose to talk about events that have happened to them. Processing distressing circumstances can be a scary and challenging process. Doing so is most safe with counselors or therapists trained to treat these types of serious injuries. However, even finding safe friends or family members to talk to can be an incredible first step. Leaving traumatic events unresolved often has serious negative outcomes on our mental and physical health.

 

You Are Not Your Trauma

It is the inherent nature of trauma that traumatic events feel overwhelming. Facing things that have happened to us can feel insurmountable. Yet there is an abundance of hope! Foundationally, there are several resources such as talk therapy, somatic therapy (body work), inner child work, and other pathways available to help us tread toward greater peace and wholeness. In sum, we do not have to be defined by things we did not choose to experience. Our bodies are clever and between the brain and our nervous system, we can override and re-write old stories. In the next article, we will discuss how recovery means not only surviving but getting to a place of thriving.