Trauma Recovery

[windovervocalcords]

Talk. Unspeakable trauma becomes more manageable when it is verbalized. Try to find words to describe your reaction and share them with someone you trust. If you can’t talk with someone, write in a journal or diary.·

Recognize that thinking ability may be compromised. It is natural that in these circumstances, one’s ability to concentrate is limited. Employers must recognize this and accommodate.·

Honor individual differences in trauma reaction. Your way is not the only way.

http://www.azvictims.com/coping/default.asp

[windovervocalcords]

Complex PTSD, also known as disorder of extreme stress, is found among individuals who have been exposed to prolonged traumatic circumstances, especially during childhood, such as childhood sexual abuse. Research shows that many brain and hormonal changes may occur as a result of early, prolonged trauma, and contribute to troubles with learning, memory, and regulating emotions. Combined with a disruptive, abusive home environment, these brain and hormonal changes may contribute to severe behavioral difficulties such as eating disorders, impulsivity, aggression, inappropriate sexual behavior, alcohol or drug abuse, and other self-destructive actions, as well as emotional regulation (such as intense rage, depression, or panic) and mental difficulties (such as scattered thoughts, dissociation, and amnesia). As adults, these individuals often are diagnosed with depressive disorders, personality disorders, or dissociative disorders. Treatment may progress at a much slower rate, and requires a sensitive and structured program delivered by a trauma specialist.


Fear, an emotion that evolved to deal with danger, causes an automatic, rapid protective response in the body. The fear response is coordinated by a small structure deep inside the brain, called the amygdala. The amygdala, is a complicated structure, and research suggests that posttraumatic stress disorder may be associated with abnormal activation of the amygdala.

Once fear is conditioned in the amygdala, it is hard to change. However, the neural pathways from the amygdala to the hippocampus and to cortical regions such as the frontal lobes allow its suppression until triggered. Fear quickly returns when the individual is re-exposed. An increase in stressors seems to affect the fear-inducing and the fear-inhibiting pathways. High stress levels decrease the capacity to suppress fear, while increasing the ability to induce it. Thus, the fear induced by re-exposure to traumatic material indicates a failure of inhibition on the part of the hippocampus, and is evidence that the traumatic episode is not integrated as a narrative, spatio-temporal event in autobiographical memory. Furthermore, the heightened sensitivity of exposure of PTSD patients to trauma-related material results in an increase in fearfulness in response to stimuli that are not truly life threatening.

Studies using MRI in PTSD have measured volume of the hippocampus, a brain structure involved in learning and memory. Patients with combat-related PTSD had an 8 percent decrease in right hippocampal volume when compared with controls. A decrease of 12 percent in left hippocampal volume was found in patients with a history of PTSD related to severe childhood physical and sexual abuse. Reduced hippocampal volume was associated with dissociative symptoms in women who had a history of childhood sexual abuse.

People with PTSD tend to have abnormally high levels of key hormones involved in response to stress. A person in danger produces high levels of natural opiates, which can temporarily mask pain. Scientists have found that people with PTSD continue to produce those higher levels even after the danger has passed, which might lead to the blunted emotions associated with the condition.

Some studies have shown that cortisol levels are lower than normal and epinephrine and norepinephrine are higher than normal. Norepinephrine is a neurotransmitter released during stress, and one of its functions is to activate the hippocampus, the brain structure involved with organizing and storing information for long-term memory.

This action of norepinephrine is thought to be one reason why people can remember emotionally arousing events better than other situations. Under the extreme stress of trauma, norepinephrine may act longer or more intensely on the hippocampus, leading to the formation of abnormally strong memories that are then experienced as flashbacks or intrusions.
http://psychologytoday.com/conditions/ptsd.html

I thought this would be a good topic since so many of us who come here have survived severe trauma and loss.

[windovervocalcords]

If trauma does this to the brain, is it any wonder we see life differently in the aftermath of tragedy?

[Smokey Stover]

The article in Psychology Today was very good, especially the part which you quoted. I know damn-all about the links between the amygdala and the hippocampus, except for one interesting fact that I read the other day. The links between the amygdala and the hippocampus are few and little-used compared to the links with the rest of the body. This means that once the amygdala is notified of a danger, it goes right into action without waiting for any confirmation from the hippocampus or the prefrontal cortex (the thinking part of the brain, where judgments are made). The fight-or-flight reaction is not aways effective, but least so if you spend time thinking about it.

Thanks, WindOver, for the link.

[windovervocalcords]

Smokey--

You really get the implications of the disorder. The problem is going into fight or flight with no control and when in situations where the present day situation is not the equivalent of original danger.

Complex PTSD is a long term 'reactivity pattern' that was created by prolonged term of captivity by an abuser. It is quite disabling.

[FLYSODA]

Wind, I also suffer from complex PTSD. Have been in therapy for 20 years. My major problem is disassociation disorder. I miss lots of time, days, months. I function but I don't know where I am. Or what I did. so I stay in most of the time. people will return my calls when I don't remember calling them. I made a contract with a shop to make jewelry for them when they called me. and I didn't remember. I don't want to make jewelry anymore! it's like living in a black out state. I can sit and stare at the wall for 3 hours straight. and have a blast doing it. I mask my tv watching. I watch it. but I'm not really looking at it. I'm someplace else. I"ve kept journals since the 6th grade. I wrote steady in them up untill 91. I left ( a so called friend) to watch my house and kids while I was out of town. while I was gone, she got into my journals and had people from the bar over and they took turns reading through my journals and making fun of me. these were my most private memorys. I found this out from my daughter. I was so enraged I got all my journals, all of them, and burned them in the fireplace. I haven't started one since. I don't trust someone won't get into it. I bought leather bound journals. nice ones. and they are gone now. I've reduced myself to writing on bits of paper and hiding them. and only I will know what they mean. so, I was violated. violated in many ways in my life.

[Louise]

That is awful FS, why did they do that? I hope you are able to start your journalling again for your own peace of mind. :love0085:

[FLYSODA]

I've tried louise, but my handwriting has gone to hell. I'd have to type it all out. then find a box to put it in. I love writing. I can't type worth a darn. But good enough to get out what I have to say. I guess I'm paranoid. My circle of trust was broken.

[Louise]

I've tried louise, but my handwriting has gone to hell. I'd have to type it all out. then find a box to put it in. I love writing. I can't type worth a darn. But good enough to get out what I have to say. I guess I'm paranoid. My circle of trust was broken.

I am sorry, it hurts when that happens. I hope that you regain that security back and soon. :love0085:

[Boscorelli]

Hi Wind/SKYTALK
Yesterday I watched an interesting program about the BRAIN. 30 years ago or more scientists stated that in the future;which is TODAY 2008,there will be evidence that what we think about does havwe a direct affect on our BODIES.
I am not going to go into the NUERO/PSYCHOLOGY of this work;but will put it in more easier to understand language;for those people who do not have a medical background as I have.
In the study of ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE,scientist concluded that if people would use their minds to strimulate their 'thought processes' such as doing complex crossword puzzles,jigsaw puzzles,playing stratergy games such as CHESS<MOKUGO etc.or playing a piano,violin or taking up a sport such as golf,tennis;there is a good possibility of preventing ALZHEIMER'S;or if one does have it,preventing it from increaseing.
They also concluded that a daily 30 minute aerobic workout,using an excercise machine;or swiming,bike rideing,running etc;not only is an increase for cardio-vascular health;but it is also a positive brain change mechanism for the good.. While this program is a secular nuero-psycholoical format,not spirituality;the fact that negative thought patterns and habits does increase the chances for ALHEIMERRS.
It was stated a long time ago;' You are what you eat" so now what we think of ourselves our bodies/mind will reflect it in our general health and well being.
You,WIND/SKYTALK are BUDDHIST and I,Boscorelli am CHRISTIAN. We have discussed the importance of daily meditation and living in 'simplicity through spirituality.
There have been studies conducted in hospitals of people recovering from major strokes,heart attacks;that with a strong spiritual belief system in place their recovery was faster.
Again as always nice talking to you:mornincoffee: Boscorelli

[Boscorelli]

Hi Wind/Skytalk
I was re-reading your 2nd post on this subject about the affects of child abuse/trauma and it's long affects on a person's life.
Yet we can change our brain 'chemistry' by our chooseing to accept what has happened forgiveing those people who harmed us and moving forward in our life.
Forgiveness is most important,one does not seek to 'get even' or wish something evil happens to them';it means you release any negative feelings hurts about that person. Removeing oneself by distance from the person who hurt us,is a positive approach,letting time heal wounds.
The way we know that forgiveness is real;when we think about the incident/person,yet the HEART remains calm.
THe more trumatic the hurt,we will always remember.WHY? So we must never hurt another person,in that way or in another way.
A deep abideing SPIRITUALITY is key in the whole matter of FORGIVENESS.
BUDDHISM,CHRISTIANITY,JUDIHISM all speak of FORGIVENESS as a necessity for healthy living.
I do agree with you about talking about a traumatic event with someone;but yet not everyone wants to move forward.
I counselled a man who continously talked about his hurts.I kept an open mind and listened intently to what he was saying. I had arrived at the conclusion,that this man had no intention of doing anything positive;and was willing to remain in' his comfort zone' of just talking. That was 3 years ago.
The bottom line is,unless a person is willing to change,talking is a waste of time.
EXAMPLE People say " I'll go on a diet tommorow" that tomorrow never comes for many people. One must take the FIRST STEPS TO RECOVERY.
Always nice talking to you Skytalk :love0085: Boscorelli

[Boscorelli]

I think that PTSD is really nothing more than ENBITTERNESS.
People intentionally hurt other people.We see this in families.What starts out as a trivial minor incident,very often excelerates to full blown communication breakdown,leading into violence.
Working through a painfull trumatic expierence,is certainly not easy and it does take time. TIME is a great healer,IF ONE chooses to go forward with the healing process.
ENBITTERNESS comes from resentment and the desire to seek revenge: "I'll show you,you just wait."
With this negative blind spot,the person is chooseing to be handicapped and very slowly the ENBITTERNESS grows higher and thicker.
The person has now imprisoned themselves and the only way they can be free is to FORGIVE
I am speaking from my own expierence;it has not been easy;but the effort to move on leaveing the past in the past;living TODAY and looking forward to the FUTURE,is far better and SPIRITUALLY MORE HEALTHY.

Boscorelli