WHAT IS TRAUMA?

The definition of trauma can be very broad, and it concerns all those past and present events that in some way "mark" us with small/large wounds that cannot heal on their own.

Starting from the assumption that ALL traumas leave signs in the brain paths, we can, for conceptual purposes, distinguish between:

- stress and chronic stress, stressful events we are subject to on an everyday base and our ability to cope with them, depending on how many T and t there were in our past life (and not on how strong or weak, or capable we are).

- trauma with a "capital T", thus all events definable as trauma (abuse, having witnessed catastrophic events like earthquakes, a bad medical diagnosis, wars, sudden deaths or deaths of our loved ones). This type of trauma can originate a "Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder". If you want to know what the symptoms are click here

- trauma with a “small t”, often not accepted as such by the social context, more often it can create worse consequences than the big Ts. This category includes negative childhood memories (the so-called attachment traumas concerning the parent-child relationship) such as being heavily criticized, not being considered, having witnessed family conflicts, having had a depressed or very worried parent, etc. The definition of small t is mostly subjective, and it relates to events that to an adult eye might seem irrelevant (having witnessed parents arguing or having seen father worried about work problems) may have originated problems that influence adulthood.

We have realized that a memory is traumatic (in the broad definition of the term which includes T and t) when, thinking about it, we experience discomfort and some physical symptoms (perhaps a tightening in the stomach, or lightheadedness feelings) and we realize that in these circumstances or in vaguely similar ones we have over reactions (i.e.: knowing that we are competent in our job but suddenly feeling incompetent following the criticism of a colleague who indirectly brings back maternal criticism).

The consequences of trauma on the body, "taking the hit."

The knowledge amongst the scientific community that body pathologies must also be addressed by listening to the psychological part, it is now largely accredited. This can be a consequence of a disease (for example the anxiety and sadness following a diagnosis) or one of the causes of the disease itself. In both cases, to improve treatment possibility, emotional reactions cannot be ignored, and the brain must be treated as well as the body.

For example, after a serious car accident, no one would think that the broken leg could sort itself out, but who knows why people think that the brain (which has taken a big hit anyway) should be able to do it. Having difficulty dealing with a traumatic event is not a sign of weakness, but of NORMALITY, and when the brain is not supported to process such events, the "body feels the hit" (from the beautiful book on this topic by Bessel Van of Kolk) and can get sick. It is therefore logical to expect that in such instances, the body cannot be treated if the psychological origin of the problem has not also been treated.

There are many ways in which the body can "take the hit": from chronic diseases (diabetes, heart problems, fibromyalgia, etc.), to gastrointestinal problems, to tumors, chronic pain and so on. Once any organic causes have been excluded by a medical specialist, bottom-up psychotherapy (including both EMDR and other approaches such as yoga) can be a valid help for chronic diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders, fibromyalgia, etc.

The consequences of trauma on the body, "keeps the score" 

The knowledge amongst the scientific community that body pathologies must also be addressed by listening to the psychological part, it is now largely accredited. This can be a consequence of a disease (for example the anxiety and sadness following a diagnosis) or one of the causes of the disease itself. In both cases, to improve treatment possibility, emotional reactions cannot be ignored, and the brain must be treated as well as the body. 

For example, after a serious car accident, no one would think that the broken leg could sort itself out, but who knows why people think that the brain (which has taken a big hit anyway) should be able to do it. Having difficulty dealing with a traumatic event is not a sign of weakness, but of NORMALITY, and when the brain is not supported to process such events, the "body feels the hit" (from the beautiful book on this topic by Bessel Van of Kolk) and can get sick. It is therefore logical to expect that in such instances, the body cannot be treated if the psychological origin of the problem has not also been treated. 

There are many ways in which the body can "take the hit": from chronic diseases (diabetes, heart problems, fibromyalgia, etc.), to gastrointestinal problems, to tumors, chronic pain and so on. Once any organic causes have been excluded by a medical specialist, bottom-up psychotherapy (including both EMDR and other approaches such as yoga) can be a valid help for chronic diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, gastrointestinal disorders, fibromyalgia, etc. 

SUGGESTED BOOKS

- Bessel Van der Kolk: The body keeps the score

- Tom Holmes: Parts work. An illustrated guide to your inner life
- Tal Croitoru: EMDR Revolution.
- Judith Herman: The aftermath of trauma
- David Emerson: Trauma sensitive yoga. Reclaiming your body