Trauma

Emotional and psychological trauma is the result of extremely stressful situations.

Sometimes these situations can endanger our lives. However, you do not have to have survived war, disasters, natural disasters or domestic violence.

Any event that overwhelms us, that we can’t process on our own, and that makes us feel isolated and helpless can be traumatic.

Trauma is not determined by the magnitude or threat of the event, but rather by the ways we experience it and the long-term consequences for the body and nervous system. Therefore, two people who have been through the same event may be affected differently. Trauma is the trace that the event leaves in us, not the event itself.

The more frightened and helpless we feel, the more likely we are to remain traumatized. The more trauma we have in our history, the more traumatic events of the present are.

Trauma activates ancient biological defense mechanisms that, through a variety of symptoms, can cause significant discomfort and suffering. The good thing is that, with the right methods and support, these same ancient mechanisms can help transform any experience into health and inner strength.

Shock Trauma

Shock trauma occurs as a result of events that are physically life-threatening and overload our nervous system. These include medical interventions, anesthesia, physical injuries, accidents and high-speed sports injuries, risk of drowning or suffocation, poisoning, sexual violence, attacks by wild or domestic animals, natural disasters, political and economic instability and injustice, discrimination, racism, pandemics, etc.

As a result of shock trauma, psychobiological processes are triggered, which can remain active long after the event. It is important to complete these processes so that the body can return to health and optimal function.

Trauma in child development

Early childhood trauma, unlike shock trauma, is not related to a single event, but to a series of events and impacts of the home and social environment on the developing young organism.

When there is no basic care and the child is subjected to neglect or violence, the nervous system does not develop normally and this has long-term consequences in the body, psyche and emotions, which remain as a lasting trace and accompany all later stages of development.

The strongest impact of early childhood trauma is the difficulty of connecting with oneself, others and the environment. We often see a manifestation of constant fear, toxic shame and self-doubt and personal worth. This makes relationships especially difficult and traumatic.

As a result of the experience and the huge lack of proper reflection of the personality, many people with childhood trauma have a distorted perception of their own image. Often, they feel toxic shame, have inferiority complexes and attach great importance to various actions to protect the individual from deep-seated shame.

Here we can see symptoms such as perfectionism, workaholism, fixations on appearance and weight, the need for control, dependence on others, as well as addiction to substances and behaviors that temporarily alleviate and compensate for suffering.