I have experienced many traumatic events in my life, and I have been traumatized by a few, some more severely than others. The most significant came from an auto accident in 2005 that resulted in a mild traumatic brain injury (TBI). Within a few months I was diagnosed with PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). What I have experienced since that time is that traumatic events have a greater ability to traumatize me. It is like I have mind/body memory that is familiar. The neural pathways are already in place. Having realized that, I now take extra care to clear the trauma and heal from it rather than sweep it under the rug and say “I’m fine.” It is another reason I appreciate my understanding of our energetic anatomy and have the tools and resources to clear much of the energy.
Trauma can be caused by so many things….some common causes are loss/death, accidents, illness, relationship crises, war, natural disasters, the list is endless. This is because what is simply a traumatic event for one person can severely traumatize another. There is a big difference. We all experience trauma. It is only when our ability to respond to a stressor, or perceived threat, is overwhelmed and we lose our sense of balance and safety, that we become traumatized. This response varies from person to person.
The good news is that we Humans are born with an innate ability to overcome trauma. When we are threatened our bodies instinctively generates a lot of energy to help us defend ourself. It is this energy that becomes stuck if not discharged and it needs to be cleared for the trauma to be released.
Animals instinctively use this ability to “shake off” trauma and therefore, do not become traumatized. Most of us have witnessed an animal go into a shock state, seemingly paralyzed and still after a trauma. It often happens when an animal receives a glancing blow from an auto, or a bird hits a window. They go still, frozen or paralyzed, allowing the chemical/hormonal cocktail coursing through their body….and then allowing it to release. After a few moments they begin to shake, this releases the last of the excess energy. They regain bodily functions and run, or fly, away. It is this step of “shaking it off” that brings the body back into balance.
Typically, we do not allow ourselves to release the buildup of energy because it is such an uncomfortable process. As our bodies try to let go and shift we feel out-of-control once again, and this brings up more fear. So, typically we shut it down…and it is by the holding of the energy we become traumatized. The fear has now taken residence.
Harboring this fear longterm takes its toll on the human body, mind and spirit. Eventually holding this traumatic energy causes us to lose connection, certainly with our body, but also with ourselves, our families, our soul, and the world around us. We become separate, often withdrawing. Depression is common, as are many other mental, emotional and physical ailments.
There is a mountain of information available these days on trauma and PTSD, it’s causes, and symptoms. If you are now, or have in the past, had an event that has traumatized you……I urge you to seek assistance. The work I do is hugely effective, as are many other modalities for healing. Do yourself a favor, honor your process by getting the help you need to heal.