Summary of "Why You Can’t Just ‘Get Over’ Trauma: The Science Behind Healing"
Key Wellness Strategies and Self-Care Techniques:
- Understanding Trauma
- Brain and Body Impact
- Trauma affects key brain areas:
- Amygdala: Becomes hyperactive, leading to anxiety and constant vigilance.
- Hippocampus: May shrink, affecting memory formation and recall, resulting in fragmented or intrusive memories.
- Prefrontal Cortex: Reduced activity can impair emotional regulation and decision-making.
- Trauma also triggers a chronic stress response in the body, leading to physical symptoms like muscle tension, chronic pain, and fatigue.
- Trauma affects key brain areas:
- Neuroplasticity
- The brain's ability to form new neural connections offers hope for healing.
- Targeted interventions can help rewire the brain and promote recovery.
Evidence-Based Therapies:
- Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR): Involves processing traumatic memories through guided eye movements to reduce emotional intensity.
- Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Helps identify and change unhelpful thought patterns and includes exposure therapy for gradual desensitization to Trauma triggers.
- Somatic Therapies: Focus on the body and nervous system to release stored tension and promote physical self-awareness.
Mind-Body Practices:
- Mindfulness: Encourages staying present and reduces anxiety by training the brain to focus on current experiences.
- Yoga: Helps release tension and promotes relaxation, especially when Trauma-informed practices are used.
- Breathwork: Techniques like deep breathing calm the nervous system and counteract the fight or flight response.
Self-Compassion:
- Recognizing that healing is a non-linear process and treating oneself with kindness.
- Practices such as journaling, nature walks, and engaging in creative outlets can support emotional processing and healing.
Conclusion:
Healing from Trauma requires a multifaceted approach combining evidence-based therapies, mind-body practices, and self-compassion. With appropriate support and interventions, individuals can work towards resilience and recovery.
Presenter:
- Dr. Tracey Marks, Psychiatrist and Mental Health Educator.
Category
Wellness and Self-Improvement
