The Ranch 99.1 FM's regular Thursday morning segment, on April 21, our topic focused on some surprising facts about trauma.
We work hard to keep life safe for ourselves and those we love, but let's face it, most of life is out of our control. It's important to understand the essence of trauma when "bad things" happen.
There are some surprising facts about trauma that may help you to avoid some of the life-altering effects of these distressing events. This information may also help you to understand the best ways to manage the aftermath of trauma.
We work hard to keep life safe for ourselves and those we love, but let's face it, most of life is out of our control. It's important to understand the essence of trauma when "bad things" happen.
There are some surprising facts about trauma that may help you to avoid some of the life-altering effects of these distressing events. This information may also help you to understand the best ways to manage the aftermath of trauma.
A little background first. Today's humans still have that fist-sized ancient brain tucked deep within our big ol' "new" brain. And, that ancient brain pays attention to primitive, not contemporary, threats. That's the reason babies cry at the hiss of a snake, the snap of a fire, thunder or angry voices and not to sirens or glass breaking because those are not "ancient" sounds. They are today's sounds. Babies' auditory systems are very mature at birth, but their visual systems need time to mature. They are not nearly as startled by visual "threats" as they are by those they hear. There's that ancient brain, again!
Do you remember the scene in the Ten Commandments where Moses is on Mount Sinai with the two tablets and the fire of G-d was inscribing the commandments on them?
Think of traumatic incidences being written with fire on the amgydala, a small organ in the brain which I describe as the "seat of emotions". These events are recorded not in fire, but in adrenalin so that the brain never forgets. The mind/brain does not want you to forget because the event was so life-threatening that you got out your "fire pen" and recorded it on the stone tablets/amygdala.
Your brain/mind wants you to avoid such situations again. This is why posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is so very tough to treat. The mind/brain says, "Oh no you don't! The last time something like this happened, you almost didn't make it out."
Think of traumatic incidences being written with fire on the amgydala, a small organ in the brain which I describe as the "seat of emotions". These events are recorded not in fire, but in adrenalin so that the brain never forgets. The mind/brain does not want you to forget because the event was so life-threatening that you got out your "fire pen" and recorded it on the stone tablets/amygdala.
Your brain/mind wants you to avoid such situations again. This is why posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is so very tough to treat. The mind/brain says, "Oh no you don't! The last time something like this happened, you almost didn't make it out."
The long-term impact of stress leads to poor school performance, social deficits and poor coping skills which ultimately result in anxiety and depression. Those who have experienced trauma smoke more than the general population and they drink alcohol and have greater weight gain than others. They have chronic illnesses which reduces their health and their wealth. Yes, trauma can ultimately cause you to be poorer than others. You can see why, can't you?
Trauma messages are so powerful that they are passed on through sperm. Children and grandchildren of trauma survivors are more vulnerable to mental illness than the general population. They are especially prone to depression and schizophrenia.
Look at your own family and their experiences. Have children "inherited" this vulnerability from others? If so, it's not their fault, but it sure will be their responsibility. Make sure they get the support they need.
Look at your own family and their experiences. Have children "inherited" this vulnerability from others? If so, it's not their fault, but it sure will be their responsibility. Make sure they get the support they need.
Here's something to think about. First-responders such as police, firefighters, EMTs , emergency room staff, and those in the military certainly witness, up close and personal, both intended and unintended carnage. However, they may have a "protective" factor in the form of a "sensation-seeking" neurology. They do not perceive threat in the way the rest of us "scaredy-cats" do because they have more dopamine and less adrenalin than the general population. This means that they seek novelty and risk and that they may behave in this way because they have less of an adrenalin response. They don't get as "nervous and jerky" as others in the face of fear.
Sensation seekers drive fast (they oftentimes are described as needing a "flight plan" when they get on the freeway) and they follow too close while their passengers have the white-knuckle grip on the "Oh my G-d" handle of the car frame.
Interestingly enough, sensation seekers don't get into accidents as often as us scaredy-cats. They may have more effective visual processing and motor skills and quicker responses times than the rest of us. Good for them.
What can you do? Be aware and take actions when trauma symptoms pop up. You can't erase the frightening past, but you can minimize its damaging effects.
Just do the best you can,
TTFN, Claudia
Sensation seekers drive fast (they oftentimes are described as needing a "flight plan" when they get on the freeway) and they follow too close while their passengers have the white-knuckle grip on the "Oh my G-d" handle of the car frame.
Interestingly enough, sensation seekers don't get into accidents as often as us scaredy-cats. They may have more effective visual processing and motor skills and quicker responses times than the rest of us. Good for them.
What can you do? Be aware and take actions when trauma symptoms pop up. You can't erase the frightening past, but you can minimize its damaging effects.
Just do the best you can,
TTFN, Claudia
