What is Trauma?

Trauma Redefined 

Unclear to many people, the common question, ‘What is Trauma?’ may be the beginning to an expanded awareness of how the dynamic affects the nervous system. From it’s very narrow former associations, the understanding of trauma has broadened widely to the recognition of the vast circumstances and effects now acknowledged by neuroscience, clinical research and longitudinal studies.

Keep in mind that people are each affected differently. The differences lie in many individual factors, such as resiliency, personal history, resources, and developmental impacts. What impacts one may not affect another.

Trauma may be simply understood as incomplete, or thwarted survival responses; energy that got ‘stuck’ in the body’s nervous system. Trauma is not the incident itself, but actually our own survival energy turned inward, remaining incomplete.

What is Trauma and How Does it Happen?

Fight, Flight and Freeze Responses

Animals in the wild process trauma instinctively and recover quickly, releasing the trauma through the nervous systems’ unique ability. Human nervous systems are nearly identical to other mammals. However, it appears that our evolved thinking brain may get in the way of natural trauma completion.  

When initial impulses that prepare in a nano second, urge us to run away (flight) or defend ourselves (fight), are blocked or thwarted, the survival energies instead turn inward into the nervous system of body and brain. This is called ‘freeze’ or traumatic shock, where most trauma work is done. Trauma victims may also be ‘stuck’ in fight or flight responses.     

Everything we experience is held in our nervous systems. Difficult body-held memory may result from even seemingly minor incidents that had significant impact for a variety of possibly unknown reasons.

What is Trauma and How Does it Show Up?

Trauma has many, many symptoms. In the fields of trauma, neuroscience, and longitudinal studies there is strong evidence that mental illnesses are caused by trauma at some point in life, especially early maltreatment and developmental interference. Well known experts such as Gabor Mate, Bessel Van der kolk and Peter Levine, among many others are instrumental in creating this important awareness.   

The Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study is held as a standard of how early maltreatment of children leads to a disadvantaged life in every way. Maltreatment, especially before age 5, predisposes children to trauma that may show up early in life or even much later. 

Trauma Symptoms May Include, But Are Not Limited To:

Nervous Ticks and Twitches; Flashbacks, Nightmares, Reactivity, Rage, Addiction, Social Withdrawal, Dissociation, Obsessive Behaviours, Compulsivity, Irrational Fears, Terror, Phobias, Panic, Chronic Fatigue; Elusive Body Pains; Major Episode Depression; Long Term Low Grade Depression; Uncontrollable Anxieties; Very Poor Self Esteem; Sensations of Smell, Taste, Hearing, Visions …

… again the list goes on.  

How Long Does Trauma Last?

If unresolved through effective therapy, symptoms are known to stay on in body and brain nervous systems.  

Somatic Experiencing Trauma Therapy (SE) leads the field. Developed by Dr. Peter Levine for over 50 years to date, SE is a potent psychobiological method for resolving trauma symptoms and relieving chronic stress. Dr. Levine, a former NASA stress consultant, drew from studies of stress physiology, psychology, ethology, biology, neuroscience, indigenous healing practices, and medical biophysics, together with successful clinical application.

Dr. Levine was among a handful of trauma pioneers in the 1970’s who explored the questions, ‘What is Trauma?’ and ‘What can we do about it?’ as they focused on the trauma experienced by Viet Nam veterans to learn more about the effects soldiers were presenting with and how to help them. Our understanding of trauma has evolved greatly since then.  

The SE approach, purposely gentle, calms the survival alarm system and releases traumatic shock, which is key to transforming PTSD and the wounds of emotional and early developmental attachment trauma. Useful throughout life, the techniques restore awareness and control of our natural functioning.

Deborah uses Somatic therapy in combination with other techniques: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), Mindful Embodiment, EMDR, MBCT and Somatic Touch.

Clients Report Various Individual Experiences:

• • Personal Empowerment and Control
  • Reconnection with Self
  • Increased ability for healthy connection with others 
  • Releases from Anxiety, Depression, Stress, PTSD, etc. 
  • Relief from body symptoms
  • Restored organization of body nerves, tissues and organs
  • Rage transforms into determined life affirming action
  • Increased Vitality to engage in life
  • Self Regulation techniques to reduce release trauma responses
  • Anxiety and rage relax into peace and safety
  • Spiritual Awareness and Awakening