Why You Should Start Viewing Trauma as an Internal Experience
I think it is safe to say that trauma is a part of the collective human experience…unfortunately. Like many mental health and wellness topics, there are also a lot of misconceptions about what trauma is and what it's implications are. When you think of the word “trauma” what is the first thing that comes to your mind? Abuse, violence, disaster, tragedy? These are definitely deeply impactful, life altering, and “traumatic” events. I must note that what is traumatic for one person may not be traumatic for another person and this is due to many different complex protective factors and susceptibilities. Factors present (or lacking) in one’s life like safe supports, genetic susceptibilities, multigenerational patterns, and privilege can influence to what degree an individual event or complex experience has a traumatic effect on the human condition.
Our American education system falls completely short when it comes to educating our young people about emotional intelligence, emotional regulation, and integrative wellness. We must do better and educate our people that trauma is not an external event or experience. Trauma itself is a human response to abnormal and overwhelming events/experiences. Trauma is the survival and protective responses that cause a disconnect from present moment and the Self (mind, body, and spirit). This very internal experience when unaddressed and unhealed, will impact every dimension of the survivor’s wellness. We must view ourselves from a compassionate and integrative systems perspective because everything from our functioning biology to our external worlds are so intricately inter-connected.
So, what are some lesser known impacts of trauma?
Unstable self-concept and interpersonal relationships
Self-hate, guilt, shame, self-blame, hopelessness, worthlessness, anger, and isolation
Difficulty regulation emotions and mood state
Physical health and somatic signals/symptoms i.e. high blood pressure, chronic pain, illness and decrease immunity, hyper vigilance, tension, digestive issues, impaired sleep and appetite, and SO MUCH MORE.
Dissociation (disconnection from present moment and physical body), emotional numbness or flatness
Perpetual feeling of lack of trust and safety within Self and the external world
After reading this, I only ask that you do your part in spreading awareness that trauma is not the event or circumstances themselves rather it is the internal experience and desperate survival responses one resorts to in order to navigate the event or chronic circumstances. As a trauma therapist I use this integrative and informed approach to create a safe space for my clients to gain a sense of agency, accountability, and control over their inter-connected lives. Viewing trauma as an event that happened to someone can foster a sense of historical permanence of the traumatic event on the timeline of one’s life and make it difficult to establish an internal locus of control and perceived (non-linear) path forward.
“Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort.”
DISCLAIMER: All views and information on this site/post are my own and do not represent the opinions of any entity whatsoever with which I have been, am now, or will be affiliated. The information on this site/post are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any mental illnesses. I, the author, do not in any way guarantee or warrant the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any message and will not be held responsible for the content of any message. Always consult your personal physician(s) for specific medical and/or mental health advice and/or treatment.
