The Biology Behind It: The Body Keeps Score

Preventing people from moving when something terrible happens is what makes trauma a trauma.

In this mini episode, Dr. Aimie dives into the biology behind why not being able to move (either physically or internally) can create trauma. She looks more closely at the moment in the trauma response that she calls "hitting the wall" - the pivotal point where we feel powerless and our physiology shifts from a stress response to a trauma response.

Dr. Aimie also explains that our neuroception (nervous system's perception) determines whether we take action or shut down, and this process isn't based on reality but on our perceived capacity against perceived danger. So when we feel overwhelmed, our nervous system prevents movement as a way to protect us.

You'll hear more about:

• The five steps of trauma response and why "the wall" is the most significant
• How our nervous system can block our own movement
• The biological factors that influence our capacity to respond vs. shut down
• And more!

If you're interested in understanding why you might "hit the wall" in everyday situations and how to support your body's capacity to respond differently, then this episode is for you!

For more on this topic, listen to the full conversation with Dr. Bessel van der Kolk in Episode 116: The Body Keeps Score: How Trauma Rewires Your Nervous System