The treatment of trauma can be some of the most complex work practitioners face.
And for years, this challenge was complicated by not having a clear picture of the impact that trauma has on the brain.
But scientific advances within just the past few years have opened the eyes of practitioners to what actually happens in the brain of someone who has experienced trauma.
And according to Bessel van der Kolk, MD, there are three major ways that the brain changes in response to trauma.
To find out what they are (and their impact on the body), take a look at the video below – it’s just 3 minutes.
Bessel is one of the world’s leading experts in trauma and PTSD. Because of his research, we have a deeper understanding of how trauma impacts both body and brain.
And this is crucial – it can help us target our interventions more effectively.
So now, we’d like to hear from you . . .
When it comes to the treatment of trauma, what do you want to know most? Please leave your comment below.
I work with traumatised indigenous kids who use substances to relieve their stress. They are in a heightened state and angry resulting in violent behaviour. They not only have individual trauma but also cultural destruction and family separations. My question is what is the most effective interventions for these kids.
You know some kind of martial art would be good. there is a tremendous amount of discipline and with kids I think it is best to get them moving and wear down that energy.
Can deep trauma take a person into an expression of another personality or a faceut of themselves that is uncomplimentary?
Dealing with the brain before sleep in proactive manner for less intense dreaming after a crazy day? Also, has any research been done on ADHD as a result from trauma, and best ways non drug to deal with it.
Why do I feel like I have two Microsoft “Window”versions of the trauma memories? One is the horrific death feeling, the other pleasurable loving, even though it’s humiliation, surrendering feeling? Sometimes I control the version I recall which I prefer, the latter, and sometimes I can’t and get the former.
What Dr. van der Kolk says about a traumatic experience changing the brain is so true! I’m 78 years old and was lucky enough to find a clinical psychologist about eight years ago who diagnosed me with C-PTSD and had the faith that I could do the necessary work to alleviate my symptoms. In the process, I was able to take myself back to the experience I had at age four when the world changed.
That day I had been violently sexually assaulted by the neighbor women, and I sneaked home afterward and crawled under my bed to hide. While I was under my bed, I changed. I can remember that moment when a fog came over me–that’s the best way I can describe the experience–and when I crawled out from under my bed, the world looked and sounded different. Dim. Colors were faded, sounds were menacing, somehow, and I was scared. I remember after that how I was frightened of anything black. In those days, cars were mostly black, and every time a car went past the living room window, I hid in my closet because I was afraid it was going to kill me. About that time, I was christened, and the priest, of course, wore black vestments. I kicked and screamed all the way through, and then when my parents got me home, they beat the hell out of me for misbehaving. I knew better than to tell them why I was scared because I knew they would blame me for being sexually molested, so I endured the beating and kept my secret all my life until I was in therapy.
That incident was not the only trauma I experienced, but it may have been the main experience that set me up for later abuse and other traumatic experiences. Right about the same time, when I was age four, my parents began displaying me without my clothes on to their guests at parties. I was forced to pose on a table so pictures could be taken, and that is when I knew there was another little girl with me who looked just like me but was gray. As long as I saw her near me, I could endure the photo sessions. She stayed by me to protect me.
Despite all this and despite later experiences and all the fallout from the trauma, I functioned fairly well in life. I married an abusive person but ended my marriage after twenty years when I caught him molesting our daughter. I phoned the police and reported him, filed for divorce, finished raising my daughter, went back to school and earned two graduate degrees, and then spent the rest of my working years teaching remedial English in a community college. All the while, though, I fought the PTSD symptoms not knowing what they were or why they were there. Once I was diagnosed, however, and knew what I needed to do to improve my inner environment, I took action.
Now the colors have come back, literally–maybe not all the way, but mostly. I was able to remember what the colors had looked like before I hid under my bed at age four, so I had a frame of reference. I still can’t get the experience of joy that I had before age four, but at least I can remember it. That’s good enough. I never did take any psychotropic medication because I was afraid medication would slow my processing. After three years of intense work at home and with my therapist, I had pretty well alleviated the symptoms–flashbacks, dissociative episodes, etc.–and later work with EMDR helped me learn to manage myself. I feel as though I live as “normally” now as most people my age do, and that’s what I want for myself in these last years of my life.
So, yes, I’m an example of how trauma changes the brain, but I’m also an example of how the changes can be undone to an extent. With the right therapy, motivation, and dedication to the task, a person can reverse at least some of the damage. That’s what I believe.
Thank you for your account, Jean. Your bravery in confronting your trauma and C-PTSD is inspiring. I wish you the very best in enjoying the rest of your life.
Thank You for sharing your life with me,
I become quiet and am thinking of you
Now… I validate your testimony of how
We are able to change. I hope you find
happiness within … inspired by nature
and or music … love to you Now. Anton
As a teacher of small children who have suffered several Adverse Childhood Experiences, I am always seeking the best practices for helping to mitigate their symptoms, as well as building their resiliency skills. Any and all information you could provide in this direction would be of great help. Thank you!
I have been working once a week with a trauma therapist for the past 9 months. Before that, I saw two other trauma therapists for only a few sessions each. I have been given 2 Psychiatric DSMV labels. No medication for either ever worked for me over 16 years of my adult life. Every medication made many of my symtoms worse! Or left me over-medicated so that I was a semi-invalid.
It took an alternative medicine-trained psychiatrist 8 months of sustained support to gradually wean me off of these heavy-duty medications. A year after that I began an arduous medical treatment of Lyme Disease that after 6 months I tested completely free of Lyme. It wasn’t until a month after that when I switched from talk therapy to a Trauma Specialist social worker that I truly began to experience lasting healing. She uses: Yoga, bi-lateral stimulation, art therapy, guided meditation with me. According to her: I am not a good candidate for EMDR or Brainspotting which are other techniques she uses to address trauma. I am extremely poor. I live off of SSDI $841 monthly. I was struck by a byline you inserted about how “misdiagnosed Bipolar & trauma”………Any extra job I can get I will save my $20 here or there so I can take Dr. Bessel’ $97 course. I am a licensed experienced massage therapist of 13 years. Is there any way that Massage Therapists could get CEU’s from your on-line course? I got 8 CEU’s from a 1/2 day lecture-format Trauma workshop last fall. I would benefit more from your on-line class since I can listen, watch, read the transcript & take the test. I know other massage therapists would greatly benefit from Dr. Bessel’s pivotal research. Thank you Ruth B for your repeated e-mails in my box. It was lovely to see you speak and hear your voice.
Thank You Kindly,
Eliza Packard, B.A., L.M.T.
What I most want to know is: How can I safely ask for help during this time, which is when I am most vulnerable, without people who are not heart-centred using this as a time to bully, to con, be as cruel as possible in order to crush and assume power over me. I am just leaving a trauma behind and have come back from a help session.
I did say, in my session that I just felt DAMP, and didn’t like Vancouver Island or England’s climate for its DAMPness.
So I was impressed by the video. Thank you. I shall watch again.
Im interested in how trauma impacts ones life generally with regards to close friendships and the ability to have them…. with healthy boundaries?
Does someone with ptsd necessarily have all three brain changes?
Thanks for the information. Question about how trauma in early life can shape the brain. Examples; children from war torn african countries who come to the US, thrive and then fall apart in their 20s to psychosis, etc.
I’ve never understood how talking to a therapist helps. Typically, they don’t say much that I don’t already know. I need some thing much more substantial. I’m thinking of trying EMDR, however I’m very concerned that it’ll bring up the actual incidences of abuse, which I do NOT want to remember. I’ve repressed it for a reason and there it needs to stay.
An EMDR therapist would help you prepare for therapy, help stabilise you and resource you before you work on the abuse. But I’m afraid you would have to feel it to heal it….in a very careful way. Has ‘forgetting about it’ worked for you up to now? I guess not. We often avoid or dissociate but these traumas intrude anyway. As an EMDR therapist and someone who is healing myself through my own therapy I would recommend this therapy…..just find a therapist who you feel safe with. Warmest wishes
I am experiencing digestion issues such as gas,acid reflux & gastritis it began on march 4th the day after an intense emdr session with the therapists.Im a strong healthy woman no health issues nor ever experienced any acid reflux or gastritis issues in mywhole life only after these 2recent emdr sessions can you please give me insight if im ever going to get better feel well again this has been a long month for me so hopeless depressing & frustrating because i been on a bland diet and lost 6lbs i only drink water please any feedback will be helpful thank you.
My daughter just experienced a bi polar episode that started with stress, then depression, and then a series of traumatic events then which she took magic mushrooms, in which triggered a drug induced psychosis. Then a bi polar episode was the out come of the above. She is in the psychiatric ward in the hospital now. But I want to know how I can help her and prevent this from happening again.
How can I help my 11-year-old foster boy? He has a really kind, caring part of who he is and then on the other hand he can be so over top reactive that he has a difficult time making and keeping friends. Staying in school and even functioning in foster placements. I would really like to help him. Also, what is your take on giving children abilify and Serterline. I personally don’t like the idea of giving children these drugs when their brains are developing.
That Abilify is some nasty shit in my opinion. I improperly weaned myself of of it years ago and damn near jumped off a pier.
A lot of psychotropic drugs can be problematic to wean from.
Olga you have PTSD. Brain fog, speaking out words that are different. … Saying oizza instead of primrose, not sleeping,loosing you sexuality, no giving a shit, not being able to concentrate and complete tasks, crying at the drop of a hat, thinking everyone can see your emotions, crying, panic attacks, withdrawing and isolating, not telling people how younf el… PTSD for sure. Forgetting simple things appointmentmens and not caring if you make typos. Expecting life not to get better and wishing you could just die. Not that u would do yourself in but just fall asleep and never wake up. Taking to your one and only dog! This is so silly. Drinking to numb stuff. ignoring you friends and family because you don’t think they give a shit. Not wanting to linger longer at shopping for groc or other stuff. Not washing and cleaning you car,house, and ignirining basic stuff like showered and shaving your Pusey and clipping your dogs toe nails and wiping the counters and making the income tax deadlines, and generally withdrawing don’t tell me Tom”check ou so-and sos. Website or book cuz I won’t. Take me by the hand and lead me to or provide me with a cure. I can’t do stuff on my own cuz I won’t do stuff without a kick in the ass! I’m embarrassed, ashamed, withdrawn, not myself, confused, feeling unloved and depressed, and realizing people are more into cyber relationships than real ones. We have become a population of bits and bites on a computer screen. People would much rather have cyber relationships and call people “friends” who are hey have NEVER met fac-to-face. If I have typos here oh well. You probably got bo Ed with my ranting anyway I give up its 10:53 pm my time. Good night cyber world. Fuck off and carry on as distructively as usual. I’m not negative… I’m a realist an actually quite a jovial person… So was my favourite comedian Robin Williams the tortured soul, drug aficionados, father, husband, son, uncle. … Person who no one really knew… If you can get through all the typos. Yippee. Who really gives a shit
Quite judgmental about other people perhaps that is the root of your problems. Try love it works better and using Bessel’s techniques also help. Your rant shows your lack of understanding.
SHUT UP
Thank you. Bessell IS a better choice.
I totally fucking get you!
#AFUCKINMEN SISTA!
I’ve been diagnosed with situational PTSD. I kind of understand what he was saying, but I want someone without a weird accent and vibe to repeat what he said and perhaps go further … His accent distracted me.
I’m sure other medical practitioners understand him completely, but, duh, I don’t! Btw I have a high iq and am very intuitive of people’s on a spiritual plane, I am an empath. I worked in the Canadian police force as support staff,non-operational, and denied my ptsd for many years because I have worked with officers (Regular members of the RCMP ) in Canada for over 24.5 years and have personally known 4 officers with severe ptsd, and I did not think that I had as tough as a case as they did because they were front-line. But I’ve now realized that people’s imaginations are just as real as experiencing first had. do you know what I mean? transcribing sexual assault statements of perpetrators and 5 year old victims and dealing with abducted victims of violence at the front counter and reading and statistically scoring each and every criminal matter file that comes through the detachment takes its tole on support staff. After 24.5 years of negativity I guess that Inqualify as a PTSD candidate. fuck the irony of it all, the compassionate, empathetic, law abiding, socially conscious people end up the sickest in the end. not fair I Say. I’m 63 and broke and waiting for my pension and unable to sort out processes (paperwork stuff) any longer. I still can’t sleep right. I have no support system that really gives a shit.
♥️HUGE HUGS♥️♥️
I can only imagine what inside of your head. I’m an empath as well, I totally get what your saying. Perhaps you can start a support group for folks like you… Surely it’s needed, if not face to face, online…
How to help the children I work with in school so that they are prepared to learn.
I have tremendous brain fog. Cannot focus well. Am very stuck/fearful. Don’t feel present in my body and the world. Cannot shake this symptom and it’s been 14 months since my daughter’s murder but I’ve had many traumatic events since childhood- am now 50. How can I heal this?
I’m 50 also, my son Christopher Malcolm Miele was murdered almost 14 years ago, we should talk.
it was my guilt over mistakes I made raising him that led me down the path of discovering that I was repeatedly sexually abused as a child from very early on. All but one family member is denying it. I’ve written off my entire family basically because they refuse to acknowledge my pain and the sick fucks that caused it.
How does trauma impact orgasmic ability in men and women? What is your definition of “sexual autism”
Hello all.
I am Dr. Irena Kyd, a PTSD/trauma coach.
We work with people who have suffered emotional, mental or physical trauma to relieve symptoms that stem from these events. We do this using a brain-based intervention.
It has helped me to overcome deep-seated emotional pain and cured my insomnia…within 5 weekly sessions!
You may find pertinent information and testimonials on our websites.
And it probably costs an arm and a leg! We need free shit cuz most of us are broke. Are you for real? I bet not!
EXACTLY only the wealthy can afford DECENT medical/mental health care anymore. Forget it allllllll together if you have state insurance!
So what if there’s no forferdelig love that gives two hoots about my trauma. People just walk away if you are a little tiny bit ‘off’ and then you are left with absolutely nobody, no love,no kindness, nada
I agree. Nobody can deal properly with a PTSD diagnosed person We just try our best day by day. Govt doesn’t help. Family gets tired of it. Friends drop away. We could do a support group but we’d all end up whining and blubbering and complaining and sick of each other. I found a trauma nurse up in Prince Rupert bC Canada that has helped me. But of course she has to get paid for her work and I am broke. And my health care plan won’t cover her because her doctorates are in theology and nursing ( first hand) and unless she’s a doctor of phycholgy Sunlife won’t recognize her. I’m broke and can’t afford to pay her…fuck. I anyone that actually gets you is worth their weight in gold. Candice you are wonderful,practical and make sense with your anecdotal information and your insight and you don’t just um hum and now how did that make you feel and what do you think… Responses… U give practical advice and insite and helpful ways to cope for me … Wish there was more money and I’d talk to you weekly until better… Oh well. I’m drunk now and music go to bed.
How best to deal with early infant trauma?
con job
I was diagnosed as having PTSD 20 or more moe years ago I would like to know how to get rid of the effects of the trauma.
Also when I over think negative thoughts i have anxiety and my heart race’s. Both of which i can’t control. Meditation and tapping don’t always work or if they do it’s short lived. I also have a trama and abuse councillor using EMDR that is also minimal help. I just can’t control my negative thoughts. Please help.
When I remember to do it, this helps LOTS.
BIBO means, breathe in, breathe out. Simple stupid, I know, but I read somewhere that if you do it sixty times, putting more focus on the out breaths, it CAN really help. So I tried it, and sure as shit, it helped!!!
On the out breaths, I pushed the air out like I was ridding myself of the awful memories, thoughts , hurts, blow them out with a vengeance!!!
BIBO
I would like to know how to stop a negative self critic as it consumes most of my thoughts. I think that i also have subconscious shame. I know i have PTSD. I was molested when I was 5yrs old by my babysitters son and then 8yrs old by my grandmother’s husband. I have either had abusive relationships or sabotaged them because of the negative thoughts.
Check out Byron Browns soul without shame book available on amazon he describes how to effectively work with the inner critic. How to recognize attacks by the inner critic and how to defend against them.
It works!
Thank you so much for this series. I have suffered from trauma since infancy but didn’t realize it until a later trauma in my adult life brought it all back. I have worked for almost 6 years to find myself (a new self) and to get in control of trauma instead of allowing it to control me. I had to first step away from trauma to see that it was separate from me. As a professional writer, I can finally write about the trauma in my life (couldn’t focus enough to do it before), so I’m writing two books and a website to help a unique sub-group of women trauma victims – peple who believe in God/Jesus Christ – find how God can help in their healing. If you are interested in following the progress of my work, or if you would like to have input, please contact me.
Now the question: Do you have transcripts of the videos? It was a little hard for me to make out some of the words and phrases. Again, thank you.
Do you ever get your life back or are you this different person the rest of your life. Does the hopelessness every leave and does joy return? Stress, memory loss and anxiety along with depression and PTDS is too much to live with
I’d love the answers to these questions too. At the age of fifty, I feel like there’s little to no hope for me.
I would like to know how to turn off the excessive stress response to have a normal response again
Thank you so much for all your information. For a long time I’m interested in the effects of ptss because I believe that it’s not only with (for example) veterans or sexual assault victoms that these effects occur.
I also strongly believe and experienced that it can be passed on to next generations. As a mother of 4 I think that the fact that my parents were in the Japanese camps for about 4 years, when they were around 5 until 9 yrs old, has had immediate influance on me and my 4 children. Also the father of my father in law being shot by the German, just before the War ended, had A huge impact on the upbringing of his 4 children (including my husband). To me ‘trust’ en ‘selfconfidence’ are a constant battle – despite A good education to become a lawyer, I couldn’t manage to keep a job. Also starting being a teacher (after a new education) didn’t bring me confidense. And For all my children school was more than a challenge, dealing with dyslexia and ADD. I strongly believe that there is a connection…. I really would like to hear your reaction because here in Holland I cannot find the answers… Thanks (Ps I have read Bessels book as well as Peter Levine’s Tiger Awakening and Gabor Maté’s Scattered.
Mike,
Have you done any reading on intergenerational trauma? It is real. You are right.
I was attacked violently by a frustrated student, and had to stop working as a teacher. I cried every day several times for 3 years and was not able to live my life as I wanted. Then I started to practice Energy Medicine (Donna Eden), and one particular exercise has helped me very much. The second before the tears come, I hold one hand at my forehead, and one hand at the back of the head, I breath deeply 2-6 times, while I think of my sadness, and then the sad feeling and the tears disappear. After a few days I almost stopped crying, stopped to have that sorrow hanging around. Now after 6 weeks, I feel the crying mode once in a while – I do the exercise, and I feel happy again. This one little thing has changed my view of my life and my self tremendously. (You find Donna Eden on youtube – I recommend her Daily 5 min. Energy Routine)
Hanne, I feel so happy to hear that you found that simple but powerful energy medicine tool so healing , soothing, helpful to you. I took an intro course to Donna Eden’s Energy Medicine, and I also try to practice her Daily Energy Routine; to tune up my energies and prevent illnesses! Energy psychology techniques such as EFT also known as tapping; have also been found to be extremely effective for trauma. It is even being used successfully since many years ago to help veterans in the USA recover from PTSD – “Operation: Emotional Freedom”. I love energy medicine and energy psychology because it provides us with tools that empowers us to be able to manage our emotions in a natural way, and independently!
In adults recovering from severe developmental trauma who have experienced repeated revictimization throughout their lives, what can be done to reprogram physical responses from the damage to these areas of the brain and nervous system that control our perception to danger? I turned to yoga which has been key to many parts of recovery but my physical responses of fear are so ingrained that I have to avoid certain social situations unless medicated by a muscle relaxant. These symptoms include hypervigilance that causes physical shockwaves, fear, shaking with what feels like being out in front of an audience (embarrassment, flushing, sweating) or dissociation that comes on like a wave and disconnects me. I also suffer from extensive amnesia and wonder if that is contributing to this continued response despite my efforts for years to heal fully. I do not remember a time in my life when they did not exist.
What are some of the best targetted treatments to help the brain heal?
I am an acupuncturist that specializes in treating people who have experienced combat and/or military related trauma, and first responders who have experienced critical incident stress and trauma. While I have lots of questions, at the moment I would like to know how TBIs affect a veterans experience of trauma. Thank you!
My trauma is from sexual Assualt as a 5 yr old girl ( molested by a moving co employer). I am 67 yrs old. Plus medical trauma from botched gallbladder surgery. 18 days hospitalized. I have lost 70 lbs and Trump election triggered unresolved trauma isssues. Working with therapists 12 sessions. 6 down ! Doing irest yoga Nedra and tapping. Striving to be less aggressive and balanced. Getting breast reduction in 1.5 months want to be relaxed and working on more self confidence. Interested in neurofeed back next in treatment. Any info would be swell. Thanks ! Terri Lodge
what are the specific brain areas{anatomical names of) affected by trauma?
I find the information extremely helpful.
i am looking forward to learning more.
Thank you for all you share.
thank you for this informative video about the brain function in trauma. I would like to know what specifically are the 3 areas of the brain the doctor is referring to in his talk? The explanation about the behaviours of each was quite clear & I would like to know the names of the 3 areas he is referring to in his talk. Thanking in you in advance.
I am wondering if Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can really address the three aspects addressed in the video above. While I have done extensive work with 12 Step Programs and have changed some of my own filters, increased my own self-awareness through internal dialogue and applied a lot of stress management techniques, it feels like I have changed a lot of my internal programs; but I also know that the rational mind cannot control the primitive brain functions. It takes a felt sense of change to feel safe. Can you address this issue in a way that makes sense to me? Thanks JC
when a person is traumatised (war) as a toddler/ infant, can – what is stored and active in selfpreservation in the reptilian brain – be healed/ reversed to a more normal functioning total brain/body?
And thanks for your website.
I want to know more about the differential diagnosis between the signs and symptoms of anti-social personality disorder and (complex) trauma.
I really want to attend a live seminar. Would sign up right away if you come to Reno, NV. Unfortunately, I’m already scheduled to do an advanced EMDR training at the same time you will be in San Francisco.
What is most helpful for an individual during and immediately after trauma?
How do you address the physical after effect of PTSd. Physical meaning the trauma left in the body. I can rationalize my traumas to death and understand them but i dont know how to get them out of/ release them from my body. What are some techniques to do that?
Similar to other comments, I would like to know more about effective treatments for someone who experienced repeated trauma in early-mid childhood.
As a yoga instructor with a major background in yoga therapy, how do I help my students release the trauma that is imbedded into the physical body.
If you are not a somatic therapist what are some basic body techques or avenues you can use to help a survivor?
In regards to the treatment of trauma, I’m interested in understanding and hearing more about what happens when a young child lives in trauma (home life or lack thereof) and/or is repeatedly traumatized throughout their childhood. Real or perceived – not cared for, not provided for, not living in a safe environment, etc. What is it like for them in the healing process and what needs to be developed, learned, understood when they are older in order to walk through the healing process?
Oh. So true!
Ruth, Your emails have been helpful and welcome. I’m head of the school program for You Inc’s residential units, charged with making classroom situations a healing experience for our ICBAT and CBAT clients. We already integrate art, mindfulness, OT and PT experiences into the school day. I’d be very interested in any interventions that reduced anxiety around academic experiences which are so charged with competing and shaming.
I would love to know more about targeting the body body memory…more focused interventions