Trauma Decoding Trauma Responses
Understanding Trauma: Insights from Leading Experts
Trauma can manifest in various forms, depending on the nature of the traumatic experience and its impact on the individual. Many times, when someone seeks help, they may not even realise that what they are experiencing is related to an underlying trauma. Often, what is described as anxiety, depression, or relationship difficulties can be a trauma response—the mind and body’s way of reacting to an unresolved traumatic event.
Experts like Gabor Maté, Peter Levine, Bessel van der Kolk, Dan Siegel, and the Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges have significantly contributed to our understanding of trauma and its profound impact on both the mind and body:
Gabor Maté emphasises that trauma is not just what happens to you, but what happens inside you as a result of what happens to you. He explains that trauma occurs when we are overwhelmed by an experience and lack the internal resources to process it. This unprocessed trauma can manifest in various psychological and physical symptoms, often without the individual being aware of the connection.
Peter Levine, the developer of Somatic Experiencing, highlights that trauma is stored in the body. He explains that traumatic experiences can disrupt our natural ability to regulate our nervous system, leading to a state of heightened arousal or numbness. Levine’s work focuses on helping individuals release this stored energy and restore their capacity for resilience and self-regulation.
Bessel van der Kolk, author of “The Body Keeps the Score,” provides a comprehensive understanding of how trauma affects the brain and body. He describes how traumatic experiences can alter brain function, leading to changes in how we process memories, emotions, and bodily sensations. Van der Kolk’s work underscores the importance of addressing both the psychological and physiological aspects of trauma for effective healing.
Dan Siegel has pioneered the field of interpersonal neurobiology, which explains how trauma impacts the brain’s ability to integrate different functions. He suggests that trauma disrupts the mind’s ability to remain flexible and adaptable, leading to symptoms of disorganisation and dysregulation. Siegel’s work emphasises the importance of mindful awareness and integration in the healing process.
Polyvagal Theory by Stephen Porges explains how trauma affects the autonomic nervous system, influencing our ability to feel safe and socially connected. Porges’ theory highlights the role of the vagus nerve in managing our stress responses, suggesting that trauma can leave us stuck in states of hyperarousal or shutdown. Understanding this theory helps us develop therapeutic approaches that restore safety and connection.
Understanding these insights helps us recognise that trauma is not just a psychological issue but a deeply embodied experience. Whether it’s a single-incident trauma, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), or complex trauma, the effects can be pervasive, affecting all aspects of a person’s life.
Decoding Trauma Responses
Trauma often manifests in ways that are not immediately recognisable as trauma-related. Many behaviours and emotional patterns that people struggle with can actually be trauma responses—the body’s way of coping with unresolved traumatic experiences. Decoding these responses is crucial for effective healing.
Procrastination as a Trauma Response
Procrastination can be more than just a habit of putting things off. For some, it is a trauma response, where the overwhelming fear of failure or rejection, often rooted in past experiences, leads to avoidance. This can be a subconscious way of protecting oneself from re-experiencing the emotions associated with past traumas.
Addiction as a Trauma Response
Addiction, whether to substances, behaviours, or even work, can be a coping mechanism for dealing with unresolved trauma. The addiction provides temporary relief from the emotional pain and distress, but it often leads to further complications and a cycle of dependency that is difficult to break without addressing the underlying trauma.
Lack of Concentration as a Trauma Response
Difficulty concentrating or maintaining focus can be a result of trauma. When the mind is preoccupied with unresolved traumatic memories or constantly on high alert (hypervigilance), it can become difficult to focus on present tasks. This lack of concentration is often misinterpreted as a sign of laziness or disinterest, when it is actually a symptom of trauma.
Learned Helplessness as a Trauma Response
Learned helplessness occurs when a person feels powerless to change their situation, often due to repeated exposure to uncontrollable events. This mindset can develop in response to trauma, where the individual has been conditioned to believe that their actions have no impact, leading to a sense of hopelessness and resignation.
Phobias as a Trauma Response
Phobias are often intense, irrational fears that are triggered by specific objects or situations. These can develop as a direct response to trauma, where the mind associates certain stimuli with the traumatic event, leading to an exaggerated fear response.
Social Anxiety as a Trauma Response
Social anxiety can be rooted in trauma, particularly if the individual has experienced rejection, bullying, or any form of social trauma. This leads to a fear of being judged or humiliated, resulting in avoidance of social situations.
Fear of Commitment as a Trauma Response
Fear of commitment can stem from past experiences of betrayal, abandonment, or trauma in relationships. This fear often manifests as avoidance of long-term commitments or relationships, driven by a deep-seated fear of being hurt again.
Fear of Rejection as a Trauma Response
Fear of rejection is a common trauma response, particularly for those who have experienced rejection, neglect, or abandonment in the past. This fear can prevent individuals from pursuing personal and professional opportunities, leading to self-imposed limitations.
Promiscuous Behaviour as a Trauma Response
Promiscuous behaviour can be a response to trauma, particularly sexual trauma. For some individuals, engaging in such behaviour is a way to reclaim control over their bodies or to numb emotional pain. However, this can lead to further emotional and psychological harm if the underlying trauma is not addressed.
Decoding these trauma responses is an essential step in the healing process. Understanding that these behaviours are not character flaws, but rather coping mechanisms developed in response to trauma, allows for a more compassionate approach to treatment.
Classifications of Trauma
Single-Incident Trauma: This type of trauma occurs due to a singular traumatic event, such as an accident, natural disaster, assault, or sudden loss. Despite the event being brief, its psychological impact can be long-lasting, leading to symptoms such as anxiety, flashbacks, and emotional numbness.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): PTSD is a condition that can develop after experiencing or witnessing a traumatic event. It is characterised by severe anxiety, flashbacks, nightmares, and persistent thoughts about the event. PTSD often requires specialised therapeutic interventions to help manage and alleviate symptoms.
Complex Trauma: Complex trauma results from prolonged or repeated exposure to traumatic events, such as ongoing abuse, neglect, or domestic violence. Unlike single-incident trauma, complex trauma can deeply affect a person’s sense of self, relationships, and overall functioning, often requiring a comprehensive therapeutic approach to heal.
Our Approach to Trauma Therapy at Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd.
Addressing the deep-seated impacts of trauma has evolved significantly in recent years. Those who have gone through traumatic experiences often carry immense pain, frequently feeling isolated and misunderstood. At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd., we are committed to providing empathetic and effective trauma-informed therapy.
We recognise that many behaviours and symptoms, which are often misunderstood or negatively labelled, are actually responses to trauma. With this understanding, our approach is both evidence-based and deeply compassionate. We aim to create a therapeutic environment that is safe, supportive, and empowering, helping clients build resilience, self-acceptance, and personal growth.
Key Components of Our Trauma Therapy Approach
Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing (EMDR): Developed by Francine Shapiro, EMDR is a highly effective therapeutic technique that facilitates the processing and healing of traumatic memories through guided eye movements, significantly reducing emotional distress.
Brainspotting: A focused therapeutic method created by David Grand, Brainspotting identifies and processes trauma through specific eye positions, enabling the body’s natural ability to self-scan and heal for profound emotional recovery.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Based on the work of Sue Johnson, EFT is instrumental in healing attachment wounds and rebuilding connections within relationships, which is crucial for trauma recovery.
Dynamic Attachment Re-patterning Experience (DARe): Designed by Diane Poole Heller, DARe is centred on healing early attachment wounds, fostering healthier relationship patterns, and addressing the lasting impacts of early trauma.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): Founded by Richard Schwartz, IFS views the mind as comprising multiple sub-personalities or “parts.” This approach aids in resolving inner conflicts and healing trauma by promoting self-compassion and understanding.
Somatic Experiencing (SE): Developed by Peter Levine, SE is a body-centred therapy that addresses trauma stored within the body, helping clients release trauma-related energy and regain a sense of safety.
Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP): Created by Raja Selvam, ISP integrates bodily awareness with psychological healing, offering a holistic approach to addressing trauma and enhancing overall well-being.
Compassionate Inquiry: A therapeutic approach by Gabor Maté that delves into uncovering and releasing unconscious dynamics that perpetuate suffering, fostering a deeper understanding of the self and promoting healing from trauma.
Polyvagal-Informed Therapy: Drawing from Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, this approach focuses on helping clients understand and regulate their autonomic nervous system, restoring their ability to feel safe and connected after trauma.
Salutogenic Approach: Coined by Aaron Antonovsky, this approach focuses on the factors that support health and well-being rather than merely preventing disease. In trauma therapy, it emphasises building resilience, enhancing strengths, and fostering a sense of coherence and meaning in life.
How Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte. Ltd. Can Help
At Listening Ear Counselling & Consultancy Pte Ltd, we understand that trauma can disrupt your life in profound ways. Whether you’re dealing with single-incident trauma, PTSD, or complex trauma, our approach is tailored to your unique needs. With professional, cross-culturally sensitive, and trauma-informed care, I am dedicated to helping you decode your trauma responses, heal from your past, and move forward with resilience and strength. movements, significantly reducing emotional distress.
Brainspotting: A focused therapeutic method created by David Grand, Brainspotting identifies and processes trauma through specific eye positions, enabling the body’s natural ability to self-scan and heal for profound emotional recovery.
Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT): Based on the work of Sue Johnson, EFT is instrumental in healing attachment wounds and rebuilding connections within relationships, which is crucial for trauma recovery.
Dynamic Attachment Re-patterning Experience (DARe): Designed by Diane Poole Heller, DARe is centred on healing early attachment wounds, fostering healthier relationship patterns, and addressing the lasting impacts of early trauma.
Internal Family Systems (IFS): Founded by Richard Schwartz, IFS views the mind as comprising multiple sub-personalities or “parts.” This approach aids in resolving inner conflicts and healing trauma by promoting self-compassion and understanding.
Somatic Experiencing (SE): Developed by Peter Levine, SE is a body-centred therapy that addresses trauma stored within the body, helping clients release trauma-related energy and regain a sense of safety.
Integral Somatic Psychology (ISP): Created by Raja Selvam, ISP integrates bodily awareness with psychological healing, offering a holistic approach to addressing trauma and enhancing overall well-being.
Compassionate Inquiry: A therapeutic approach by Gabor Maté that delves into uncovering and releasing unconscious dynamics that perpetuate suffering, fostering a deeper understanding of the self and promoting healing from trauma.
Polyvagal-Informed Therapy: Drawing from Stephen Porges’ Polyvagal Theory, this approach focuses on helping clients understand and regulate their autonomic nervous system, restoring their ability to feel safe and connected after trauma.
Salutogenic Approach: Coined by Aaron Antonovsky, this approach focuses on the factors that support health and well-being rather than merely preventing disease. In trauma therapy, it emphasises building resilience, enhancing strengths, and fostering a sense of coherence and meaning in life.