The Nature of Trauma
Trauma encompasses a spectrum of experiences, from a singular distressing incident to ongoing events spanning a considerable period. It is an embodiment of interrupted instincts, where the body’s innate responses to threat or danger become entangled, leaving a lasting impact on our well-being. This interruption is not just a memory; it is a physiological imprint that resides within us.
Types of Trauma
- Stress: Any internal or external experience that disrupts the normal coping mechanisms of the body, challenging our ability to navigate life’s challenges effortlessly.
- Physical Trauma: Injuries or harm to the body that induces lasting physical and emotional effects.
- Emotional Trauma: The result of distressing events that overwhelm our emotional capacity to cope.
- Vicarious Traumatization: The subtle infection of our thinking processes due to exposure to the traumatic experiences of others, an often overlooked aspect of trauma.
- Compassion Fatigue: A state where intense experiences lead to the suppression or non-acknowledgment of emotions, hindering emotional expression.
PTSD and Trauma Spectrum Disorders
Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is a testament to the enduring impact of trauma. It manifests as an anxiety disorder following distressing events, lingering in our present even when the events themselves belong to the past. The trauma spectrum disorders further illustrate the wide-ranging effects of trauma on our mental, emotional, and physical health, spanning phobias, sleep disorders, eating disorders, and even serious medical conditions.
Recognizing Trauma Symptoms
Trauma can manifest in various ways, from subtle shifts to profound disruptions in our daily lives. Symptoms may include insomnia, irritability, anxiety, chronic pain, decreased concentration, depression, substance abuse, flashbacks, hyperarousal, and destructive behaviors.
The Keys to Trauma Work
- Tracking Physical Sensations: Start by observing physical sensations without attaching immediate meaning to them. Recognize the body’s dynamic nature, acknowledging that every energetic state is in a constant state of flux.
- Sensing Frozen Areas: Identify areas of the body that feel frozen or contracted, bringing awareness to where the ‘flight or fight’ response remains incomplete. As trapped energy begins to release, a journey toward fuller living unfolds.
- Uncoupling Immobility from Fear: By uncoupling the immobility response from the emotion of fear, trapped energy becomes available for other purposes. Felt sense, a powerful tool, involves bringing attention to the experience without immediate interpretation.
- Belly Awareness: Cultivate awareness of the belly, a rich resource for tapping into vitality and aliveness. Slow down during breath sessions, allowing individuals to resource and fully experience the present moment.
Beyond the recognition of trauma and its diverse manifestations, the journey towards healing requires a deep understanding of the somatic experience and the establishment of a safe, attuned environment. Focusing on felt sense, pendulation, and titration becomes paramount as these elements guide practitioners in keeping the client’s experience within the safety of their nervous system.
Felt sense, the body’s innate ability to perceive and understand its sensations, serves as a compass on the path to healing. It is the gateway to unlocking the deeper layers of trauma and enables individuals to connect with their somatic experience. By fostering awareness of felt sense, practitioners can create a more profound sense of somatic presence within the body, laying the foundation for transformative work.
The crux of trauma healing lies in the understanding that feeling is healing. Expressing primary emotions and reconnecting with the body allows the interrupted ‘flight or fight’ cycles to become complete. Lovingly created therapeutic spaces provide the safety, containment and presence to facilitate this process. The nervous system’s window of tolerance significantly expands as we carry out this crucial work. A widened window of tolerance empowers individuals to be more attuned to their external environment, fostering a compassionate response both to themselves and others.
In conclusion, the journey through trauma necessitates not only an acknowledgment of its diverse forms but also a commitment to cultivating a safe and attuned space where somatic presence can flourish. Through the integration of felt sense, pendulation, and titration, practitioners guide individuals toward a profound healing experience, where feeling becomes the conduit to reclaiming agency and embracing growth.
With heartfelt compassion and dedication,
Nisarga Eryk Dobosz – BBTRS, BCST, CI, MER, LOMI
