What is trauma? It can be confusing…..
PTSD or C-PTSD. Dissociation. Single event trauma and developmental or ‘small t’ trauma..
Single event trauma is a single episode traumatic event. Examples include car accidents, violence, surgery, natural disasters, rape/domestic abuse/sexual abuse, battlefield assaults, and war.Multiple traumatic events, which include the above can lead to PTSD – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Developmental trauma, refers to events that occur from an early age and gradually affect and alter our neurological system so that it remains in a subliminally traumatised state. This type of trauma can be caused by neglect, abandonment, parental separation and emotional abuse to name a few. There can also be early critical messages, bullying, being teased or slighted etc. This is generally covered by the term C-PTSD. (Complex – Post Traumatic Stress Disorder i.e. multiple events of emotional, psychological, physical or sexual abuse etc.)
Dissociation is a very clever way for the brain, limbic system and body to manage extremely distressing events from the the past by disabling our ability to remember or access them. In these cases we are careful to understand together and prepare the distressed parts and approach their fears with care and compassion.
EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation Reprocessing)
Please explore more about this treatment by clicking on the button below.