treating trauma in caregivers
TRANSCRIPT
Why are we so deeply impacted Why are we so deeply impacted by traumatic events?by traumatic events?
Because Mind Because Mind isis matter. matter.
We operate under the We operate under the
delusion of separateness.delusion of separateness.
“Her body moved with the frankness that comes from solitary habits. But solitude is only a human presumption.
Every quiet step is thunder to beetle life underfoot.Every choice is a world made new for the chosen.
All secrets are witnessed.”Barbara Kingsolver in Prodigal Summer.
PTSD & standardPTSD & standard
Definitions of stress:Definitions of stress:
Stress is a response characterized byStress is a response characterized by
Increased physical & Increased physical &
psychological arousal.psychological arousal.
(Everly, ’89)(Everly, ’89)
Stress is wear and tear. (Selye, ’76)Stress is wear and tear. (Selye, ’76)
Stress is inevitable (Judith Acosta, 2009)Stress is inevitable (Judith Acosta, 2009)
What to avoid when Trying to heal trauma…
There is no comfort in major media. It feeds on scandal and fear.
thinking
imagining
feeling
We are not what we think we are.We are not what we think we are.
We are what we think, imagine,We are what we think, imagine,
and feel.and feel.We feel in our bodies.We feel in our bodies.
Bach’s Air in G Om Namah Shivaya Thank you
Molecules changed by thought.Molecules changed by thought.
What the bleep?What the bleep?
move a muscle…move a muscle…change a thought.change a thought.
Change a thought & Change a thought & move the whole body!move the whole body!
Alice Domar’s research & 10-week Alice Domar’s research & 10-week workshopworkshop
PTSD: PTSD:
Looking into the Looking into the
heart of darknessheart of darkness
• What keeps us Sick? What keeps us Sick?
(The trance loop)(The trance loop)
• What keeps those thoughts alive and What keeps those thoughts alive and
active even when they’re not true? active even when they’re not true?
(hypnotic trance)(hypnotic trance)
Deep trance Phenomena: Deep trance Phenomena:
It starts with the It starts with the VowVow..
In order for a symptom to In order for a symptom to remain a symptom, there has to remain a symptom, there has to be a DTP that we create to hold be a DTP that we create to hold the symptom picture together. the symptom picture together. Without it the pattern cannot Without it the pattern cannot
repeat itself.repeat itself.
What Is Trance?
Narrowing, shrinking, or
fixing of attention.
Experienced as “happening to” us.
Characterized by spontaneous
emergence of DTP’s.
PART II: THE IMPACT OF TRAUMAPART II: THE IMPACT OF TRAUMA
Refugees: the silent sufferersRefugees: the silent sufferers
33% PTSD in children in central America33% PTSD in children in central America
20% PTSD in Vietnamese refugees20% PTSD in Vietnamese refugees
65% PTSD in Bosnian refugees65% PTSD in Bosnian refugees
““The thought that won’t go away.”The thought that won’t go away.”
MIND BODY EFFECTS of MIND BODY EFFECTS of protracted or traumatic stressprotracted or traumatic stress
accelerates aging:accelerates aging:Vietnam vets get sick soonerVietnam vets get sick sooner
avg. male life expectancy is 73.avg. male life expectancy is 73.avg. male life expectancy of a cop: 59avg. male life expectancy of a cop: 59
Stress responsesStress responses
general demands made on the systemgeneral demands made on the systemcumulative effectscumulative effectscritical incidentscritical incidents
PTSD orPTSD oracute stress disorderacute stress disorder
PART III: For the Caretaker.
Saving lives andSaving lives andthe greater risk of secondary the greater risk of secondary
trauma…trauma…
survival rules for helpers.survival rules for helpers.
Number One.Number One.
If you didn’t cause it, If you didn’t cause it, you can’t cure it.you can’t cure it.
Number two.Number two.
Staying well means:Staying well means:
restrestdietdiet
exerciseexercisesocializesocializeverbalizeverbalize
number three.number three.
Have a spiritual context Have a spiritual context for your life.for your life.
Meaning.Meaning.Purpose.Purpose.
number four.number four.
Make zen-sense of traumaMake zen-sense of traumatry hard by not trying hard.try hard by not trying hard.
number six.number six.
Cultivate inner stillnessCultivate inner stillnessbreath workbreath work
yogayogameditationmeditation
prayerprayer
(studies of prayer in Washington D.C. that (studies of prayer in Washington D.C. that lowered crime rate by 25%)lowered crime rate by 25%)
number eight.number eight.
cognitive appeal:cognitive appeal:understanding brings comfort understanding brings comfort
new thoughts rewire the neural net new thoughts rewire the neural net that has been caught in a that has been caught in a
feedback loop.feedback loop.
“Knowledge is the antidote to fear.”“Knowledge is the antidote to fear.”EmersonEmerson
number nine.number nine.
Concrete acts of kindness:Concrete acts of kindness:
The Fort Ord studyThe Fort Ord studySiebert’s studies of AmericanSiebert’s studies of American
soldiers in Korea & Survivor traits.soldiers in Korea & Survivor traits.
number Ten. number Ten.
Survivor styles:Survivor styles:resiliencyresiliency
complexity (biphasic)complexity (biphasic)self-esteemself-esteem
realismrealismself-controlself-control
tolerance, care, con-conforming, intuitivetolerance, care, con-conforming, intuitiveempathyempathy
take chargetake chargecleans up messescleans up messesservice-orientedservice-oriented
For special seminars For special seminars Judith Acosta, LISWJudith Acosta, LISW
www.wordsaremedicine.comwww.thenextosama.com