A mind and body approach to healing trauma
Trauma
Trauma is a psychological response to an event that is perceived as being life-threatening, or which significantly disrupts an individual's sense of safety or security. Trauma can result from situations such as sexual assault, natural disasters, war, abuse, accidents, and more. Trauma may cause individuals to feel anxious, disconnected, or on edge, even after the danger has passed.
Trauma & the brain
When an individual experiences a traumatic event, the brain responds by releasing stress hormones, which can cause physical and emotional changes. Chronic stress can lead to long-term changes in the brain, including a decrease in the size of the hippocampus, which is responsible for memory and learning. This can cause individuals to have difficulty remembering or even talking about the traumatic experience.
Trauma & the body
Trauma also has a significant impact on the body. Individuals who have experienced trauma may have physical symptoms such as headaches, muscle tension, chronic pain, and digestive problems. Trauma can also cause changes in the autonomic nervous system, leading to increased heart rate, blood pressure, and respiration.
Treating Trauma
There are various approaches to treating trauma. One popular approach is trauma-focused cognitive-behavioral therapy (TF-CBT). TF-CBT helps individuals identify and change negative thoughts and beliefs about the trauma. It also involves exposure therapy, which gradually exposes individuals to the traumatic memory to help them process it. Other approaches include Internal Family Systems which is an evidence based approach that can help resolve complex trauma.