Whether it is a big T or a little t, your brain is hardwired to respond to trauma in protective ways. Protective behaviors serve the purpose of protecting our physical, mental, and emotional systems in those moments. But what happens when the moment or event has passed, and we continue to respond to future events in the same way? When we re-experience traumatic events or events that seem similar, our sympathetic nervous systems kick in and triggers a fight or flight response. Your mind and body will tell you to respond in a similar manner as you have in the past because that has become your learned protective or defense mechanism. In psychology, the event that cause the response is known as a "trigger" and your response to the trigger is known as your "trauma response."
Triggers are events that look and feel like a previous event. If you have ever been attacked by a big dog, it is likely that the sight of another big dog will cause you to feel both a physiological and emotional response. The dog is your trigger and your desire to run away is your trauma response. Sounds horrible right? BUT, triggers are not always a bad thing. They often reveal the unhealed parts of ourselves.
I will always and forever encourage my community to seek out professionals that can assist you with handling your triggers and responses. There are proven and effective ways to rewire your neurological pathways to have healthier responses to the ups and downs of life. Cognitive behavioral therapy, Art therapy, Sand tray therapy, RTT therapy, and EDMR therapy (my personal favorite) are just a few ways to work through trauma to heal your mind, body, and soul.
The skills you learned in order to survive may not be the ones you need when it is time to thrive.
Written by:
Terri Young, MS
Master of Science in Community Psychology
June 2022
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