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.
The biggest problem from what I have seen and experienced is “how does one stop the physiological response to emotional issues”… Most often these emotional issues are not overwhelming (although they do feel like it many times), but even being able to assess the right and wrong between emotions and feelings can be difficult. There is a fine line between allowing yourself to feel again… and then putting the lid on it before it “rules you”…. regulation is definitely an issue for those with trauma disorder. What is the most effective way to grasp this… and yeh… I’m guessing there is no simple answer.
I am following you with absolute fascination. I am 53 years old and suffered a trauma at seven and again at nine and have had struggles all my life in various aspects of my makeup which now upon listening to you, I would attribute to the trauma. I have found dulled response to pleasure, an ever present underlying fear of life, huge attachment issues, and an abhorrence of change as it brings up fear.
I seem to have the kind of response that is from multiple “minor” + traumas that my responses to have grown and changed over the years to where now when the responses happen when it would seem irrational to have much if any response. My conscious mind is with what is really happening but the somatic response is out of bounds in what is or could be a totally non threatening situation, perhaps disappointing, but my response should not be nearly disoriented or disassociated from what is real. I never know what will bring it on or what the response will be, but always somewhere on the freeze spectrum. I have 3 things I want to know- I am a caregiver, though it is family- my intuition says, I should do something else (help). I had been diagnosed with Hashimoto’s- how much is that a player? Is it realistic to feel that though it can be helped, that responses will return to a normal level. And 4)Has it been looked into whether the protocols like Dale Bredesen’s for Alzheimer’s may be a useful approach to tackling a misfiring brain/ nervous system? Thank you
I’m still recovering from PTSD, which was pretty traumatic as I had to fight for my life, in a domestic violence situation, I feel the trauma is still in my body, I am constantly trying to release it with various healings, meditation, yoga, art therapy, painting, counselling, psychologist, but it still remains within me. What would you advise would be beneficial for me please?
Many thanks for sharing substantial teachings about the effects of trauma on the brain and mind free of charge! I work as a medical secretary, have suffered from anxiety and depression myself, have a son who has been through severe trauma (and has suffered from psychotic episodes in the past, also has Type 1 diabetes, so needs a lot of support)….I am on the prayer ministry team of my local Anglican church in Uxbridge UK, also am interested in offering “listening” and non-judgemental support online to those suffering mental and/or physical problems of life, of whom there are so many!
Please keep me on your e-mailing list!
Are you familiar with Emotion Code Therapy (Dr. Brad Nelson) and if so would you recommend it for use on trauma survivors?
Thank you for this very informative comment. I am a psychotherapist, massage therapist and natural healer who has developed a healing approach called natural energy medicine. For the last 10 years I am working with people having experianced deep infancy and early childhood trauma. I experianced and saw in my clients what you are speaking about. Their brain works as you describe. My truly wholistic approach to it does dwarf the needs of the deeply traumatised people. The brains structure needs to be healed/ be brought back to its original flawless function. That’s what I do with my clients. It is lovely to hear from scientists and other experts that this is one of the major issues a person with infancy or early childhood trauma has to deal with. I would like to get more information about it if possible. Kind regards Michaela Fay , MA, MA, Master in Reiki, Angelic Reiki, Integrated Energy Medicine, Holistic and Thai Massage Therapist
I have learned to overcome or live with trauma over the years. I am generally optimistic about my life. Yet there are times when I still feel overwhelmed by feelings of grief, loss and injustice. Is this how it is for many people who have gone through trauma?
I used to think PTSD could be healed completely ( I use mainly Holistic and Energy Psychology based methods having learned long ago that traditional talk therapy which is what I was originally trained in, causes re traumatization in most people) now I am not so sure. Maybe it can only be managed depending on how complex it is Complex PTSD is not the same as regular PTSD. It is like PTSD on steroids. According to Holistic theory however, healing occurs from top to bottom, inside to out, oldest issues take longer and newer ones heal more quickly, and sometimes older things will come back again for healing on a deeper level. We know so little about the brain in general and most methods used do not take into account spiritual issues. I have met very few if any survivors who did not have spiritual issues and trust issues due to whatever they went through.
How successful is the treatment of OLD traumas? I’m talking 40 or 50 or more years old.
Yes in my experience you can treat old trauma, no mater how old it is. I have specialized in treating trauma for about 25 years now. A key factor is believing that you can heal.
How to get the feeling sense back alive, how to “come back alive” I have learned so far that the brain needs support from the gut and the heart. This is what i’ve learned in meditation and massage work on the abdomen. A grounding experience that goes beyond the wisdom of my mind. When i can feel myself in the space i am in. That brings back the feeling of safety. Boundary. But these experiences are glimpses. Does this make sense to anyone and is there a way to strengthen the feeling sense, just like smell, hearing and seeing, can the the feeling (touch?) sense be healed (from frozeness?)
For some people, tuning into the senses can help. Hugging a teddy bear or petting an animal, holding ice if it is not triggering, gently massaging the arms especially with essential oils like Lavender which is calming, can all help. Different things help different people. Using a visualization that makes you feel safe can help too. Dissociation from the body and reality is a coping skill and doing things to feel safe again and recognize what the trigger was if possible can help with feeling again. Smelling vanilla helps some people reorient.
I liked Peter Levine’s suggestion:
One hand under arm, the other on the heart…
Creates a sense of containment, enhancing a sense of safe embodiment.
He also suggested: one hand on forehead. One on heart.
When a sense of cared for safety is noticed, extend that by
One hand on heart, one on abdomen.
I find it stabilizes and enhances energy flow.
Grace Breckenridge M.S. Human Development is
Hi,
Thank you for sharing this insightful in information.
From my experience talk therapies don’t really work to heal PTSD.
My question here is: what kind of body work therapy(ies) works best for healing the consequences of trauma ?
Thank you,
JF
Emotional Freedom Techniques (tappiing) taught by a practitioner because sometimes it will trigger other issues while you are healing and they need to be cleared too, not just learning from a book or Utube; Reiki, guided imagery visualizations, deep relaxation, Tai Chi, Qi Gong, therapeutic massage can all help some people. Learning to honor, respect and love the body is very important too.
What happens in our brain during a traumatic event when we ‘leave our body’ and watch the event from on the ceiling…..an outer body experience. Thank You
It is called Dissociation, and it is a normal response especially for children to a situation where the body can’t physically escape so the mind does. It is just not having the mind and body in the same place at the same time. Road hypnosis and getting lost in a movie or book are common experiences of dissociation that most people have. Not everyone dissociates but if the trauma started young, it is more common for it to become a coping skill besides early trauma can change the way the brain functions. This is also why some people block out what happened to them. The level of stress hormones are so high at the time that they “check out” for safety and the memories may come back later when the person is in a safe situation.
How do I get my life back after nearly five years of severe withdrawal from benzodiazepines? I’m suffering with severe anxiety, many days bedridden and total insomnia. I also have nightmares, temperature changes, sweats, numerous toilet trip and chronic unrelenting fear. I had an emergency hysterectomy at 26 after childbirth followed by an early menopause which led to the prescribing of sleeping tablets in the early 1970s. These continued for 40 years till I stopped in 2012. I’m now 72 and feel I’m back in those bad hormonal problems which also affected my life for many years. How do I help myself please. I feel desperate.
Does the cycle of trauma ever end? Or must we continually manage our symptoms throughout life?
Please read “When the Past is Always Present” by Ronald Ruden; or go and see a Havening Techniques practitioner. Even complex, long-term trauma can be cleared permanently in just a few sessions. You can also search for Havening on YouTube, both for explanations of how it works and for some guided sessions and instructions on how to do it for yourself so you can try it out, although I would recommend working on the really heavy stuff with an experienced practitioner rather than a video.
How to get the brain working again?? Haven’t found really something helpful- which is very frustrating. Does it ever recover by itself? How about Neurofeedback??
I’d like to know how to counter inaction. I recovered from the main symptoms of my ptsd through the use of can’t. However, I have been left with a very poor coping system when stress arises. I put off doing what I need to do, until it’s way too late. I often feel huge waves of tiredness as end up sleeping rather than doing the tasks I need to do. Sorry this seems rather long winded.
I am a Family Support Worker and I would like to know about self help strategies that I can use with parents who have experienced trauma to minimise the impact on their parenting/children. It needs to be simple and self help because accessing any mental health/ therapy service in UK is very difficult.
I really appreciate this short informative clip. Thank you. The only addition I would appreciate is a diagram of the brain with the labelled parts that Dr. van der Kolk is referring to in identifying three ways the brain is changed by trauma.
I want to know how teachers can change the way they teach children who have experienced trauma and what therapies could be implemented in schools to help students get through the day constructively so they can be more successful, and more at peace in the school environment.
Thanks for the video of Dr. Van der Kolk and four steps info that you’ve published so far. It’s been enlightening. Do you have any thought on Louise Hay and Hay house . I’ve heard good things about it from other women who have had bad experiences with men/rape.
Is it necessary to identify exactly what traumatic events caused a person’s PTSD in order to treat the PTSD? Or, can PTSD be successfully treated without identifying exact causes?
how can an elder heal from numerous traumatic events. On guard most waking moments waiting for the “other shoe to drop” had often said “I cannot afford the luxury of feelings” How to reverse the damaging dis-associative coping mechanisms of a lifetime.
Fatigue. Waking up feeling like ‘normal’ people feel after working very hard all day just before they go to bed. The effort involved in facing making a cup of tea arouses as much motivation as facing another counselling session or significant life changing event.
What are some of the most effective natural (drug free) coping methodologies to reduce the stress and anxiety as a result of a traumatic activating event both acute and chronic?
what I most want to know about trauma is how teachers in schools can deal more effectively with students from populations that experience a high percentage of trauma in their background, 90% or more of our Intercity student population, due to abuse factors or poverty factors or violence in the streets or in the home. I do come to school because very characteristics that were being talked about in the video of their hyperreactivity to every situation, their inability to filter or regulate input so that they are really unable to engage in educational Pursuits and high percentage of these students or physically ill in some manner or not feeling well an almost daily basis. With this amount of symptomatology it is very difficult for students to make normal or adequate educational progress. How can a program bead design to intervene for these students so that they receive the help that they need to cope with the trauma in their environment so as to not become labeled as failures in the academic performance?
Had many concussions ( actually have counted 15 from when I was a child. I am an alcoholic and drug user. I have found or seems like my brain will not make the proper choice when I have the strong urge to use. I have also this from a long time friend An treatment facilitator that when that strong urge comes I have no power over my decision. I am 69 in a couple days . I hate myself for who I turn into when I used crack cocaine. Although is also sounds as addition, I honestly want to be clean and sober. I am most days but sometimes these thoughts come and I use every tool I have and still won’t go away
Tim
solloway
How to retire a brain that has experienced trauma
What recommendations do you have for the most effective environment for housing a small group of
vulnerable teens, who have been traumatized through their life in and out of the foster care system, and have experienced homelessness, (and therefore are mostly likely living in a state of hyper arousal and prone to anger and group dysfunction) what sort of environmental cues may help reduce arousal and increase happiness? Thank you, Anna Harper ps your findings have great implication for treatment of abused women.
I’m currently in trauma therapy (EMDR) however I would also like to know if there’s a form of therapy to deal with chronic pain from the physical trauma as it’s debilitating . I love live and I have young children who are suffered from PTSD 11-13-15.
What are your thoughts about change your brain change your pain?
I love life and I want to enjoy it however when I try to do the things I love and work through it the pain level increases.
Any advice would be appreciated
hi Tracey,
have you looked into high cbd content cannabis oil ?
You also might want to check out mindfulness based stress reduction Programms taught by John Kabatt-Zinn, which have a pain component that has helped me tremendously.
Chinese healing techniques- including meditative movement (Qigong practices) and acupuncture help bring us into our bodies in the present, and can relieve pain and catalyze more rapid healing.
How do deal with multiple traumas that have occurred in a persons life that have never been addressed?
Hi Can you say seeing your parent die a trauma. As I feel all the trauma impacts. I have encountered many traumatic events in my life. this is the first time dealing with it without alcohol. I feel so disconnected and a failure.
Does physical trauma differ from psychological trauma in dealing with cognitive brain function. I have a family member who has experienced more that one sport related physical head trauma.
How do we find programs for late teens and early twenties adults that treat truma and what if the person opposes reatment?
I get exercise, practice mindfulness, and can mostly keep things manageable while I am awake., but I still cannot get a natural nights sleep. I always awaken feeling highly aroused, and I do not know how to manage my thoughts while asleep. I know that sounds funny, but I am not making a joke. The best I can to is a bodyscan once I am awake.
Is coming a good resource for me.
Thanks.
I have been through several traumas, from my husbands infidelity twice, to having to discontinue life support for my mother and my son. This is very interesting work and I would like to know more about healing from trauma. I think you are spot on when you describe PTSD.
Dear Dr. Buczynski and Team,
I would like to know if once we have started taking anti=psychotic medicines does it usually mean that it is a medicine that must be taken the rest of our lives?
Regards,
Linda
What would a treatment goal and objectives look like for a 15 year old with abuse trauma look like?
How does one support someone working through trauma/PTSD beyond simply listening or being patient? Triggers and responses are so individual but creating a safe place of calm is a necessary foundation for any relationship.
I have had PTSD as a result of brain injury due to a bicycle accident. What I would have appreciated most is to have someone there who could have listened, comforted and soothed me. I needed psychological help as I got very depressed. I went through all the aftermath of the accident on my own, which included divorce, splitting up of my family, moving from my adopted country of Germany to a new US state, going back to school to get a teaching degree in Special Education. I’ve overcome most of the trauma but writing this still brings tears. I believe it’s not only knowledge we need. We need to be there as loving people for each other. Thank you for your work and making it available!
I want to know how to heal from agoraphobia.
EMDR has not cured my daughter but has led to huge improvements in her phobia. It’s enough to make it much easier for her to handle situations that before used to make her hysterical.
How do I stop ruminating about the past? Even though I KNOW it is the past, the traumatic experiences always seem to be around me, and not far from my mind. Also, I self-identify with certain experiences – not just that they HAPPENED to me, but it’s who I am. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I wonder what occurs when a person’s vision
Is effected as a result of trauma?
I want to know how to get ME back again. I miss being the me I once was.
Finally real information about PTSD. I appreciate the fact that someone has finally put answers to the questions I have asked for so long but, please, give us the scientific terms and data, list the papers, and other references. It is important I feel you respect our capacity to understand this intimate subject and information completely. This helps me process it better without emotional content attached to it. Question as well, what are the differences in treatment for each type of trauma if they exist? Rape trauma and war trauma can really be quite different.
Yes and trauma experienced in childhood and suppressed as a memory is different too. I bought his book on Amazon. The Body Keeps the Score. He has lots of stuff published which you can probably get on google or Google Scholar.
How can I help my friends and family members keep me calm if I’m being triggered?! “Calm down” does not help lol.
Hold you and reassure you that it’ll pass and they’re here to be with you until you feel better …breathing therapy is also helpful …
What has proven to be the most effective therapy (ies) to effect brain change and dampen down the CNS?
what have proven to be the leading methods (therapies) for actual brain change to dampen down the CNS and put things right again?
What is the best way in terms of some kind of mental or physical exercise one could easily practice when one notices that they are experiencing dissassociation, brain fog, numbing due to a traumatic trigger?
How long after a trauma dies PTSD usually last? Without treatment, can it become a lifelong condition?