The fawn response is a trauma response. It is a protective reaction to an unsafe situation, usually in our childhood. As adults, the fawn response shows up in relationships in different ways: I’ll say anything to keep the peace. I …
Tag: Trauma
Trauma and Staying Connected
When we have experienced trauma, there might be an impulse to push people away, to feel shame around the trauma. To feel as though “I should be stronger than this”, or “why is this still affecting me? What is wrong …
When To Get Help For Trauma
The typical trauma symptoms will start to fade after about four weeks for some people, and for others, they will continue and even worsen. It is beneficial to have a list of things to look out for regarding trauma. If …
Physical & Emotional Symptoms of Trauma
Everyone will experience different responses to trauma. Your particular response might be unusual, just remember that it is your response and so it is ‘normal’ for you. You may experience any combination of these symptoms in response to any trauma, …
Causes of Psychological Trauma
You might be surprised to know there are different kinds of trauma. Our ability to recover from trauma depends partly on the KIND of trauma we have experienced. When we have experienced a shock trauma, psychological distress in the form …
Dissociation And Trauma
“Dissociation is the essence of trauma. The overwhelming experience is split off and fragmented, so that the emotions, sounds, images, thoughts, and physical sensations related to the trauma take on a life of their own.” (Van der Kolk, 2014, p66). …
How Trauma Affects the Brain
Trauma affects the brain, especially the prefrontal cortex, amygdala and hippocampus. Ongoing trauma is associated with “lasting change in these brain areas” (Bremmer, 2006). When there is a potential threat the amygdala sends an instant message to the hippocampus, …
Intergenerational Trauma
Intergenerational trauma is real. Trauma is passed down through family lines. When a family member experiences a trauma, such as being raised by an alcoholic, experiencing slavery or genocide, these traumas have biological and behavioural impacts on future generations. …
When You Are Overly Sensitive To Your Partner’s Moods
If you grew up in an emotionally unstable environment, you would have learned to watch for any little thing that might set them off. You learn to do things perfectly to avoid being shouted at or punished. You learn to …
Childhood Trauma
This is why we end up repeating cycles in our relationships. We unconsciously repeat aspects of our childhood that remain unprocessed in our current relationship—usually the most intimate relationship, whether that is a friendship or partnership. I love to look …