Human beings are designed to cope with stress and threats. When an experience falls so far outside our expectation for safety that it overwhelms our ability to cope, it is considered traumatic. These events can include physical or emotional threats that we experience personally or witness, or if we come into contact with the aftermath.… Read More
Accomplishing the types of everyday tasks that many people take for granted can present an overwhelming challenge for trauma survivors. Seemingly simple activities like going to the grocery store, driving to an appointment, or attending an event in support of family may seem impossible in the aftermath of trauma. When functioning properly, the fight, flight,… Read More
As a trauma specialist, I’m the one people turn to after they have survived the most horrific of human experiences. Sometimes this happens immediately after the traumatic event. Other times, it takes years or even decades. Even though I’m a professional, whenever someone trusts me with this type of disclosure, I worry about my ability… Read More
I recently had the opportunity to step away from my usual routine for an extended adventure with 13 of the people I love the most. This was not a lavish vacation spent next to a pool at a fancy resort or a sightseeing extravaganza in a big city. Instead, it was a break from basic… Read More
Most of us know that not all apologies are created equal. Have you ever had the experience of someone telling you they’re sorry, but you couldn’t feel their remorse? Without it, the words are empty and meaningless. In contrast, when someone has sincerely expressed their regret for hurting you it offered validation and a chance… Read More
Despite our best efforts, we don’t get to choose when, where, or how much we experience painful emotions. Intense feelings like hurt, frustration, sorrow, anger, fear, guilt, and shame can be triggered by all kinds of things – sometimes even our own failures and mistakes. Emotional pain is an unavoidable part of life which is… Read More
One of the biggest challenges trauma survivors face is in developing and maintaining relationships. Understandably, survivors of interpersonal trauma have experienced a profound violation of trust in a relationship that should have been trustworthy, but they are not the only trauma survivors who struggle with getting close to others. I often hear things like “I… Read More
Some tragedies leave physical scars. While these injuries can be painful and debilitating, they are often understood by the sufferer and those around them because the impact can be readily seen. However, in the aftermath of a trauma, emotional suffering can be challenging to identify and understand because it isn’t visible. Because of this, PTSD… Read More
Simply put, a trigger is a reminder of a previous experience that can bring on the same positive or negative response. Triggers come in various forms: sights, sounds, smells, touch, bodily sensations, and thoughts. It’s easier to understand how triggers operate if we think of our brain as an elaborate computer system. This system includes… Read More
We would not be human without emotions. They are essential to our survival. Without them it’s almost impossible to communicate, maintain relationships, and navigate many of the challenges we face. Our emotions allow us to recognize situations in our environment that we need to address and can provide us with the motivation to take action.… Read More
Repeated unwanted thoughts are an unpleasant reminder of trauma. These thoughts might be triggered by a sight, sound, smell, person, place, or thing. But they can also appear without any recognizable trigger at all. In addition to bringing back painful memories, it’s possible for this re-experiencing to also bring back emotions (fear, sadness, anger, or… Read More
