Trauma is a complex and multifaceted experience that can have a significant impact on an individual’s well-being. It is often misunderstood as a specific event or set of circumstances, but it is much more than that. A holistic approach to trauma defines trauma not as an event, but rather as a disruption and overwhelm to our body-mind’s capacity to adapt, thrive, and flourish (Van der Kolk, 2014). Trauma can occur when there is too much too soon, too much for too long, or not enough for too long, power and agency have been taken away from the person or collective, the stressors outweigh the resources available to navigate them, our primal protective instincts, intuitions, and responses are thwarted, or there is not enough time, space, or permission to heal (Herman, 1997).
It is essential that we consider social, developmental, and cultural factors when reflecting on a client’s trauma history. By not acknowledging these contextual factors, we do the individual a disservice. The symptoms of trauma may occur immediately or emerge over time from the compounding stress and challenges of processing and adapting to the experiences of life (van der Kolk, 2014). Symptoms of trauma emerge as the body and mind attempt to cope with and resolve the stressors.
The effects of trauma may include physical symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, tightness in the body, muscle tension, digestion challenges, and constrictions around the breath. Emotional symptoms such as flatness/inability to feel, fear, anxiety, panic, overwhelm, loss of choice, difficulty feeling comforted, anger, and shame. Psychological symptoms such as dissociation, mental rumination, low self-worth, negative self-talk, self-blame, memory challenges, depression, and loss of interest in activities. Relational/Social symptoms such as isolation, loneliness, and relational and attachment reenactments (van der Kolk, 2014).
Trauma can lead to feelings of powerlessness, helplessness, and groundlessness. It interferes with our ability to feel real in body and mind, it disrupts our very sense of existence and takes us away from the present moment (Levine, 1997). However, it is important to remember that trauma is not a life sentence. As Dr. Peter Levine, creator of Somatic Experiencing, says, “Trauma is a fact of life. It does not have to be a life sentence” (Levine, 1997).
Symptoms are the gateway to healing trauma. Our job as practitioners and educators is to listen and hear the messages and wisdom encoded in the body. It is through this process of listening and attuning to the body that we can help individuals move toward a state of balance and integration. There are many approaches to trauma healing, and it is important to find what works best for each individual. Some approaches may focus on talk therapy, while others may incorporate body-based approaches such as yoga, mindfulness, or somatic experiencing (van der Kolk, 2014).
In conclusion, trauma is a complex and multifaceted experience that can have a significant impact on an individual’s well-being. It is important to remember that trauma is not just an event, but rather a disruption and overwhelm to our body-mind’s capacity to adapt, thrive, and flourish. Symptoms are the gateway to healing trauma, and it is through a holistic and individualized approach that we can help individuals move toward a state of balance and integration. As practitioners and educators, our job is to listen and hear the messages and wisdom encoded in the body, and to provide a safe and supportive environment for healing to occur.
References:
Herman, J. L. (1992). Trauma and recovery: The aftermath of violence—from domestic abuse to political terror. Basic Books.
Levine, P. A. (1997). Waking the Tiger: Healing Trauma. North Atlantic Books.
van der Kolk, B. A. (2014). The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma. Penguin Books.
Disclaimer: This blog shares general information only, not professional advice or recommendations. Consult healthcare providers for personal guidance. Decisions based on content are the reader's responsibility. Thank you.
