Informed Communities Begin with "I"

At this point in time, most of us have experienced something we would define as traumatic in life. Many have experienced multiple traumas, with few lasting symptoms or related issues. My favorite explanation is that we are adaptive beings capable of, and constantly moving toward, healing. It is true that resiliency is a known trait to all living things on this often harsh planet. With this as an assumption, then, what is it that sometimes prevents this adaptation from occurring?

One commonly used definition of trauma states: “Trauma is the psychological and bodily response to experiencing a terrible event that overwhelms the system’s ability to process and adapt”.   There are times when our internal and external resources are simply not powerful enough to process the magnitude of the event. In some instances, a powerful belief has blocked the healing process from occurring. Maybe we do not feel we deserve to be healthy again, because somehow the traumatic event was our fault.  Perhaps surviving a catastrophe when so many did not, creates a struggle of our own worth and deserving to be well. Healing modalities can often help identify and shift the blocking beliefs, and increase the internal and external resources, which collaboratively may enable our own inner healing capabilities to click into gear. 

The results of unprocessed trauma can be diverse, ranging from a common diagnostic category called Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) to other symptoms and behaviors that appear as mood disorders, conduct disorders, memory and processing disorders, dissociative disorders, somatization disorders, and attention-deficit symptoms, just to name a few. Sometimes, people who carry unresolved trauma are emotionally reactive or dysregulated; they may relive the trauma in dreams or some level of reality, and they may find it difficult to trust and connect to loved ones.  Survivors may be withdrawn and depressed, or contrarily, overly social and lacking in boundaries.  Anxiety in various forms is common, as well as sleep disturbance, self-destructive behavior, addictive behavior, or problems with concentration.  In terms of the question of diagnosis and behaviors, we each have a unique expression.  A more important question may be: How do we re-initiate our adaptive, healing capacities to assist in resolving the trauma so these behaviors are no longer necessary?

Family and community members can be extremely helpful in this process, as these comprise our supportive, external resources. Validation and acknowledgement are a tremendous gift if someone decides to share some part of their experience.  Basically, we want to communicate understanding that this journey is difficult for them, while avoiding the urge to share our own trauma or to advise them to “get on with their lives”.  Empathy and compassion go a long way.  Making a plan with loved ones who become emotionally triggered can be a gift, so that there are agreed upon coping/calming skills in place when this does occur.  Staying calm in these moments is very important, because often survivors require co-regulation for a while before they re-learn (or learn for the first time) how to self-regulate. 

Those who are trying to heal from trauma need, more than anything else; compassion, safety, patience, and understanding.  A natural inclination is to attempt to change the person's thinking, to deny their feelings or experience, or to move the conversation to a 'lighter' topic. These inclinations are great to follow if one is avoidant of having a deep and meaningful relation with their loved one.  Anything of more sustenance will require a bit more of an effort, of course, and the payback can be great.  After all, those who have been through challenges often have a gift of unconventional measure to offer. I hope this article gives a greater depth of understanding for those who are struggling with unresolved trauma and for the loved ones who may be helpful to them on their journey. Please feel free to comment or post inquiries below or elsewhere on this website.  Until next time, have a beautiful and healing day.