PTSD/Trauma

The impact of trauma on the body, mind and spirit can be emotionally and physically damaging and arrest spiritual development. Although symptoms may show up soon after the event, it is not unusual for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) symptoms to show up years after the trauma.

PTSD symptoms usually include some type of dissociation, which may range from spacing out to difficulty remaining in the present up to and including out of body experiences. Others symptoms may include panic attacks, which features shortness of breath, sweating and rapid heart beats. PTSD sufferers often have a limited range of emotions, anxiety, depression and a variety of unresolved chronic physical complaints. Additionally, feeling fearful and experiencing social withdrawal also appears in a large number of PTSD sufferers.

Trauma can occur in a single event (acute or catastrophic) or trauma can occur chronically over a period of time. An act of war or a sexual assault are examples of catastrophic trauma. A child exposed to their parents shouting and fighting can also have the same impact on a person or potentially an even worse impact. This is also trauma.

It is important to diagnose and treat Post Traumatic Stress Disorder because if it is not treated, it could lead to more serious psychological illnesses, such as clinical depression or drug dependency.

Trauma left untreated typically becomes the root cause of the pain underneath the addictive behaviors. Addictions are simply coping behaviors employed to reduce pain and stress usually associated with either a single event trauma or "little t" childhood trauma events.

The American Heritage Dictionary defines trauma as "an emotional shock that creates substantial and lasting damage to the psychological development of the individual."

However, Dr. Peter Levine posits, trauma is primarily physiological. Trauma is something that initially happens to our bodies and our (primitive) instincts. It is an overwhelm to the nervous system. Only then do its effects spread to our minds, emotions and spirits. Specifically trauma occurs when we perceive an event is life threatening combined with feelings of helplessness and terror.

• War
• Violence
• Severe emotional abuse
• Severe physical abuse
• Severe sexual abuse
• Neglect
• Catastrophic Accidents and injuries
• Natural Disasters — Floods, Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Hurricanes
• Fires
• Loss of Loved Ones
• Loss of Public Personalities
• Loss of a Pet

• Falling down
• Auto accidents (including minor collisions)
• Routine surgery/medical problem(s)
• A series of minor mishaps
• Heated arguments
• Threaten with physical assault
• Dog bites/attacks
• A near miss auto accident
• Teasing and picking on a person

• Impacts the nervous system
• Manifests with physical symptoms
• Chronic pain
• Increased startle response
• Numbing

• Impairs ability to connect (with self and others)
• Creates mistrust
• Difficulty bonding
• Evokes shame and guilt
• Anxiety
• Panic attacks
• Anhedonia
• Nightmares
• Flashbacks
• Dissociation
• Feeling numb emotionally
• Attempts to avoid feelings or activities related to the event
• Frequent and excessive crying; moodiness
• Pessimism; a sense of doom and dread of the future
• Survivor guilt

• Impairs thinking
• Amnesia
• Dissociation
• Flashbacks
• Intrusive thoughts, images
• Dreams and nightmares

• Substance abuse/dependency
• Addictions
• Workaholism
• Sexual addiction
• Sexual aversion
• Avoids conversations connected to the trauma
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying awake
• Changes in appetite
• Hyper vigilance and scanning
• Being on guard
• Easily startled, jumpiness
• Hyper-arousal

• Healing Trauma: attachment, mind, body, and brain by Marion Solomon and Daniel Siegel
• Trauma and Recovery by Judith L. Herman
• Beyond the Trauma Vortex: The Media's Role in Healing Fear, Terror and Violence by Gina Ross
• Psychological Trauma by Bessel A. Van Der Kolk: www.amazon.com/Psychological-Trauma-Bessel-Van-Kolk/dp/0880482338

• The Foundation for Human Enrichment: www.traumahealing.com
• Trauma & Healing at the Institute for Authentic Process Healing: www.theinstitute.org/trauma.shtml
• The International Trauma-Healing Institute: www.traumainstitute.org
• Emotional and Psychological Trauma: Causes and Effects, Symptoms and Treatment: www.traumaresources.org/emotional_trauma_overview.htm