Trauma
In Brief
Overwhelming emotional stress that exceeds one’s ability to cope or integrate.
Quotes
“There are wounds that never show on the body that are more hurtful than anything that bleeds.” ~ L. Hamilton
“Traumatized people feel chronically unsafe inside their own bodies.” B. van der Kolk
“We don’t heal in isolation, but in community.” ~ S. Harrell
“Unlike other psychological disorders, the core issue in trauma is reality.” ~ B. van der Kolk
“Trauma is hell on earth. Trauma resolved is a gift from the gods.” ~ P. Levine
Trauma (Anniversaries)
Anniversary Effect
The unconscious mind looks at the calendar and connects the dots.
Quotes
“The body remembers what the mind seeks to forget.” ~ Unknown
“Some anniversaries are endured rather than celebrated.” ~ Unknown
Resources
Websites
Healthcaretoolbox.org
Nimh.nih.gov
Aaets.org
Samhsa.gov/nctic
Movies
The Prince of Tides
Child of Rage
Deer Hunter
The Fisher King
Marne
Mystic River
Silence of the Lambs
Books
Moving Beyond Trauma
~ I. Smith
Struggle Well
~ K. Falke, J. Goldberg
The Boy Who Was Raised as a Dog
~ B. Perry, M. Szalavitz
Therapy Pros
Neuroplasticity means our brains are malleable. Schema Therapy: Limited reparenting.
Therapy Cons
Wrong therapist. Client’s may feel blindsided. 10% of trauma client’s actually get worse.
Tip(s)
Don’t isolate. Rhythmic Exercise. Mindfulness. Join a support group.
Trauma / High Risk Children
In Brief
Dissociation is the common response of children who’ve endured overwhelming trauma.
Memories
“Even the victim doesn’t remember precisely what happened.” ~ Anonymous
Quotes
“Childhood trauma is not necessarily a prophecy of doom.” ~ R. Bentall
“The story of the bicycles – and there were three of them that were stolen – I’ve dealt with that.” ~ A. Merkel
“Wounded children have a rage, a sense of failed justice that burns in their souls.” ~ D. Halken
“The problems between parents become the problems within children.” ~ R. Gould
Trauma / High Risk Children (Resources)
Websites
Standupforkids.org
Troubledteens.com
Complextrauma.org
Movies
My Life as a Dog
Fish Tank
The Misfortunates
Chop Shop
Ratcatcher
Nobody Knows
Books
The Explosive Child
~ R. Greene
Peaceful Parent
~ L. Markham
The Gift of Failure
~ J. Lahey
No More Mean Girls
~ K. Hurley
Therapy Pros
Heroes overcome shame and self-sabotage. “Recall it, sense it, name it, learn from it.” ~ A. Marcinsk