Article on Trauma

How To Get Trauma Into Perspective | The Huffington Post

Just noticed this article on how trauma affects the brain and decided to post it.

It can be challenging when others around us simply don't understand the challenge and instead end up saying things that only make it even worse. That has been something that I deal with constantly myself.

So, this reminds me that I need to continue to do what helps me distance and self sooth and regroup and "yes" somedays that can be very challenging.

I can definately relate to all the symptoms and hope the advise on how to calm down when triggered will be helpful. Thank you for sharing the article.

Loved it, thanks for sharing!

Great article, Open Eyes. Thank you!

Thanks for the article link! I didn't realize feeling 'spaced out' is an effect of trauma. That is something noticeable to people I work with and at home, but thought it was a personality quirk. I can relate to all other items on that list too.

Well, since I developed PTSD I became much more sensitive then I ever was before and I think most of the members that struggle with PTSD or Complex PTSD talk about developing a sensitivity that can present with one experiencing "reactions" they don't necessarily make a conscious decision to experience. I remember when I first joined Psych Central I had never heard the term "triggered" before. However, I had been experiencing a lot of triggers IRL. I had even had therapy as well as seen two psychiatrists and none of these specialists used the term "trigger/triggered".

Actually? I think that therapists can sit across from a patient that is experiencing a trigger and presents with what may appear to be a manic episode, when in reality the patient comes in to the appointment suffering from a major trigger and even perhaps is experiencing several triggers, which is how I presented at times.

When I talked to my therapist today he explained to me that the amygdala stores all the things we experience, emotional, traumatic and the conscious mind is not always aware of what is there. For the longest time things would trigger me and I did not understand "why".

It's very HARD to explain to others what it's like to experience this challenge and what everyone I have come across hates are responses where others say, "well just don't let that bother you, or don't allow these situations to bother you". It gets very frustrating because a lot of these responses/triggers are actually involuntary. Many have described this challenge as being "haunted by". For example, I experienced a lot of trauma here at my farm where I live, and it's been so challenging because I get triggered constantly and I NEVER do this consciously. I don't even know why some days are worse than others, I not only get exhausted, but it gets physically painful or I am out trying to do my chores and feed and I end up running a marathon inside me where it's so much more exhausting than it should be.

Thank you very much for this. I relate very much. I asked my therapist at my last appointment if what I experience could all be PTSD related but she said that while PTSD appears to be present...so does a mood disorder and something else. I'm still not convinced but they are the professionals. I'm trying to trust the opinions of doctors but it's hard and feels they are not listening to the whole story. Admittedly I'm often not well enough to even communicate what is happening.

When I'm triggered I FREEZE. My heart beats out of control....I get dizzy and weak and my head throbs....I sweat and shake and disappear inside myself. I sometimes vomit because it causes my head to feel like it will explode and my stomach gets so sick. All of my delusions revolve around being ganged up on or stalked or experimented on. They all seem caused by past trauma. (((Hugs)))