Understanding Psychodynamics and Safety
The presentation begins with a focus on psychodynamics, particularly how early experiences of trauma impact one’s sense of safety.
Trauma can manifest in emotional, physical, and cognitive symptoms that disrupt everyday life, relationships, and well-being.
Effects of Trauma on Health
Trauma increases inflammation, disrupts sleep, and contributes to autoimmune disorders.
Chronic feelings of unsafety can result in a constant state of hypervigilance, impacting both physical and emotional health.
Identifying Unsafe Feelings
Individuals can feel unsafe in various domains, including physical, interpersonal, and emotional. Feelings of vulnerability can arise from numerous contexts, like work, home, or social settings.
Emotional vulnerability includes situations where individuals fear rejection or criticism, impacting their ability to feel secure.
The Role of the Inner Critic
People often internalize negative messages from others, leading to an overactive inner critic.
Helping clients examine these internalized messages and their origins can improve emotional resilience and self-compassion.
Effects of ADHD and Other Disorders
Conditions such as ADHD, when undiagnosed, can lead to feelings of rejection and criticism, further contributing to trauma.
Mental health issues can both cause and result from trauma, creating a cycle of unsafety and helplessness.
Physical and Cognitive Symptoms of Trauma
Trauma can lead to physical symptoms like GI distress and increased pain sensitivity due to heightened nervous system activity.
Cognitive symptoms include difficulties with concentration, decision-making, and distinguishing between past and present threats.
Mindfulness and Safety Strategies
Mindfulness and grounding techniques help individuals differentiate between past trauma and present safety.
Creating a safe physical and emotional environment is essential for reducing trauma-related stress responses.
The Importance of Boundaries
Setting and maintaining healthy physical, emotional, and interpersonal boundaries is crucial for trauma survivors to feel safe.
Recognizing and moderating triggers in various environments (work, home, relationships) helps reduce feelings of unsafety.
Interpersonal Relationships
Trauma can lead to difficulties in trusting others or feeling secure in relationships. People may develop coping mechanisms like clinginess or avoidance.
Rebuilding trust in oneself and others is a key aspect of trauma recovery.
Rewiring the Nervous System
Healing from trauma involves retraining the nervous system to feel safe in previously triggering situations.
Techniques like vagus nerve stimulation, slow breathing, and relaxation exercises can help reduce hypervigilance and anxiety.
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