The trauma informed approach:

My beleif is that the symptoms we oftner find oursleves experiniecing are reasonable, nonrmal responses to truamtic situations. OUr bodies are always trying to do whats best for us with that they know, our job is to acknowledge and asisst with stablisation.

Using language, bodily sensations, feelings and emotional states we can better understand your experince and what you need to be able to heal.

Deveoping skills and understanding through therapy, you can learn to experience safety, zones of comfort and be more aware of things your body is sentieive to. Be that people, boundiaires, environments.

Not everyone needs to tell thier story, therapy can act as a powerful witness, but it is not our first place of attention. If when stablised it is agreed that the experience is to be explored, this is taken slowly, carefully and with the solid intention to remain safe, achored and skilled as to when to stop, slow or pause.

Normal symptoms after experincing trauma:

Physical Symptoms:

Sleep Disturbances: Insomnia or difficulty falling asleep. Nightmares related to the traumatic event. Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or lack of energy. Physical Pain: Unexplained and persistent physical pain, often related to tension and stress. Gastrointestinal Issues: Digestive problems, stomachaches, or irritable bowel syndrome. Hyperarousal: Increased heart rate, hypervigilance, and heightened sensitivity to stimuli.

Mental Symptoms:

Intrusive Thoughts: Recurrent and distressing thoughts or memories of the traumatic event. Difficulty Concentrating: Challenges in focusing, remembering details, or making decisions. Flashbacks: Vivid and involuntary re-experiencing of the traumatic event. Negative Beliefs: Persistent negative beliefs about oneself, others, or the world. Emotional Numbing: Feeling emotionally detached or numb, sometimes to protect against overwhelming emotions.

Social Symptoms:

Isolation: Withdrawing from social activities or relationships. Difficulty Trusting Others: Struggling to trust people, often due to fear of vulnerability or betrayal. Relationship Issues: Challenges in forming and maintaining healthy relationships. Social Anxiety: Feeling uneasy or anxious in social situations. Avoidance: Avoiding places, people, or activities that remind the individual of the trauma.

Environmental Symptoms:

Hyperactivity or Hypoactivity: Overstimulation or withdrawal in response to environmental stimuli. Startle Responses: Exaggerated startle responses to unexpected noises or movements. Environmental Triggers: Heightened sensitivity to environmental triggers related to the traumatic event. Difficulty Feeling Safe: Persistent feelings of insecurity and an inability to feel safe in various environments. Environmental Avoidance: Avoiding places or situations reminiscent of the traumatic event.

Emotional Symptoms:

Mood Swings: Sudden and intense changes in mood, from anger to sadness or anxiety. Guilt and Shame: Persistent feelings of guilt or shame related to the trauma. Fear and Anxiety: Overwhelming fear, anxiety, or panic attacks. Depression: Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, or despair. Difficulty Experiencing Joy: Inability to experience positive emotions or find joy in activities.

Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood:

Negative Beliefs: Persistent and distorted beliefs about oneself, others, or the world stemming from the traumatic experience. Feelings of Detachment: A sense of alienation from others and a reduced interest in activities once found enjoyable. Difficulty Remembering: Trouble recalling specific details of the traumatic event or associated emotions.

Gabor Maté, a renowned physician, and author, differentiates between "Big T" and "Small t" traumas in a way that encompasses various life experiences. This approach goes beyond the traditional understanding of trauma and acknowledges the wide spectrum of events that can impact an individual. Here's how Gabor Maté interprets these concepts:

Big T Trauma:

Definition: Big T traumas refer to significant, major life events that are typically more easily identifiable as traumatic.

Examples: These can include events like physical or sexual abuse, natural disasters, war, or severe accidents.

Impact: Big T traumas often leave a profound and lasting impact on a person's life, influencing their overall well-being and functioning.

Small t Trauma:

Definition: Small t traumas encompass a broader range of experiences that may be less obvious as traumas but still have a cumulative and meaningful impact on an individual.

Examples: Everyday stressors, emotional neglect, subtle forms of abuse, or ongoing challenges in relationships and work can be considered small t traumas.

Impact: While each small t trauma may seem less severe on its own, the cumulative effect over time can contribute significantly to mental and emotional distress.

In this framework, healing involves exploring and addressing the full spectrum of traumas, allowing individuals to recognize and navigate the impact of both big T and small t traumas on their lives.

The symptoms of Trauma can be categorised into four main clusters:

Intrusive Memories:

Flashbacks: Vivid and distressing recollections of the traumatic event that can feel as if the person is reliving the experience.

Nightmares: Repeated and disturbing dreams related to the traumatic event.

Intrusive Thoughts: Unwanted and distressing memories or images that intrude into the person's consciousness.

Avoidance:

Avoiding Triggers: Efforts to avoid people, places, activities, or situations that may remind the individual of the traumatic event.

Emotional Numbing: A sense of emotional detachment, leading to difficulty expressing or experiencing emotions.

Negative Changes in Thinking and Mood:

Negative Beliefs: Persistent and distorted beliefs about oneself, others, or the world stemming from the traumatic experience.

Feelings of Detachment: A sense of alienation from others and a reduced interest in activities once found enjoyable.

Difficulty Remembering: Trouble recalling specific details of the traumatic event or associated emotions.