As promised in my last newsletter, I will discuss what resources could help you with developmental trauma. I finished my final “somatic, resilience and regulation training module” for developmental trauma. Hooray! It’s been an intense time; listening to the lectures made me aware of my history and understand myself and why I feel and act as I do.
What is developmental trauma, and how does it show up?
Developmental trauma comes from:
- In utero: stressful situations for the mother, drug abuse, unwanted child
- As a baby and young child: physical, including sexual abuse, neglect, hospitalization, unstable caregivers, like mentally or emotionally unstable, growing up in a hostile environment
- Epigenetics: our ancestors lived through traumatic events like war, rape, assault, adoption, hunger, and so on.
One good thing about epigenetics is that we inherit not only trauma but also resilience from the people before us. A capacity to deal with whatever has happened and bounce back.
How developmental trauma influences the autonomic nervous system
Unfortunately, developmental trauma has a direct effect on how our nervous system develops. Since in Utero and as a tiny baby, The nervous system is still developing. The body uses what it has to cope with the massive stress of a traumatic event or life situation. Trauma demands too much of our nervous system, often not wholly developed, and it overcharges the system. Then, it uses the freeze state as in the fight-flight-freeze scenario of stress.
What does it mean for us? It means that the autonomous nervous system goes into a state where it slows down almost all the other body systems to conserve energy for survival. Breathing becomes less ample, blood and lymph circulation slow down, digestion does not happen much, and immune reactions are compromised, to name just a few of the possible consequences.
So, what can be done to allow for better functioning?
The approach of Kathy Kane and PsyDr. Stephen Terrell, which I learned is about creating a safe space for the client to get a sense of security in their body and system. And slowly, through micro exercises done in a mindful, embodied way, the system opens up to something new: More aliveness, joy, and energy. It is coming out of the frozen, numb, not-feeling space, which has been the norm for the traumatized person before.
Special offer for March 2024
Suppose you, or someone you know, had developmental trauma in your life and that it still influences your life negatively. In that case, I’m happy to invite you to a series of three sessions for half the regular price to check it out and see if you notice that something new and positive can happen. This offer is only valid in March. Schedule your first session with me now to take advantage of it: 514-296-7877, sujati@sujati.com
In-person or virtual, both are possible!
