What was it like growing up for you? Is a question I often find myself asking my clients. It feels so cliché to be asking this question as a clinical psychologist, but it holds relevance. Not because our parents are to blame for everything, which is what most people assume to be the reason why we ask this question, but because our life experiences shape who we become as adults, right from the moment we are born. As Oprah and Dr Bruce Perry, Child Psychiatrist, put it in their new book, asking this question of: “what happened to you?” is a powerful way to begin to understand the impact of life on people and helps us understand what trauma is.
Life is full of adversity. Sometimes, sadly, people experience big traumatic events, and at times repeatedly throughout life. When we talk about big traumatic events we think of physical and sexual abuse, witnessing violence and aggression, prolonged hospitalisation, sudden loss, being in accidents, being in natural disasters, being in war, being forcefully displaced, etc. However not everyone will experience these events, yet they may still be impacted by trauma and the impact can be just as big, if not bigger. This is because traumatic events can also occur in a cumulative way. Cumulative events can look like ongoing emotional abuse, micro-aggressions, neglect, ongoing criticism, messy and prolonged divorces, custody battles, controlling behaviours including through religion, being in a high stress environment, vicarious trauma, ongoing bullying, financial abuse, etc. Whether it’s one big event, an accumulation of circumstances, or both, it’s all relevant and valid.
Trauma is therefore “an event, series of events, or set of circumstances that is experienced by a person as physically or emotionally harmful or life threatening, and that has lasting adverse effects on the person’s functioning and mental, physical, social, emotional, or spiritual wellbeing” (Huang et al., 2014, p. 7).
This definition of trauma is widely recognised and is still used today. It is commonly referred to as the three E’s of trauma informed care because it highlights the importance that in order to understand trauma, we need to ask:
1. What events or series of events led to these behaviours developing?
2. What was their experience of that event or series of events like for them? What needs were not met for them at that time? What was their view of what happened (not the view of others)?
3. What are the effects on that person’s life? – on their emotional functioning, mental health, physical health, social functioning, spiritual wellbeing, occupational functioning?
Understanding the whole picture in this way starts to paint a picture of how trauma has impacted life. It promotes compassion, empathy, and a willingness to turn toward and connect with the person. All these components are key to help begin the healing that is required when someone has experienced trauma irrespective of what that trauma was or is like. Connecting with others in a safe and trusted environment where we do not feel powerless and out of control can be the first step to promote healing. When we connect with others in this way our body begins to create new neural pathways that promote safety as well as release Oxytocin which begins to repair the body. For support with trauma and to learn ways to manage trauma, we’re here to help. Give our team a call on (03) 9882 8874 to book an appointment.
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This blog was written and prepared by Dr Celin Gelgec – Clinic Director and Clinical Psychologist at Melbourne Wellbeing Group.
Reference:
Huang, L. N. et al. (2014). “SAMHSA’s Concept of Trauma and Guidance for a Trauma-Informed Approach”. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.