Instructions for the Safe Space Exercise Safe Place: the basic idea is simple. When you are stressed or anxious, go to an inner Safe Space in your mind. This exercise allows you to withdraw from a problematic situation long enough to calm down. However, this is easier said than done. You can develop this imagination […]
The Four Fs: Fight, flight, freeze and fawn As we learn more complex reactions to others during childhood and adolescence, and as children, we have no way of understanding abuse of any kind, it is no surprise that infants and children show trauma reactions which we share with our animal ancestors: the Four Fs. With animals, a
Childhood trauma – the Four Fs, reactions of helpless children Read More »
The REST strategy After having identified self-destructive and problematic behaviours — as well as their costs — there are needed distress tolerance strategies, the first of which is described there: the REST strategy. REST stands for:Relax,Evaluate,Situational intent, andTake action. Changing any habit is difficult. It requires knowledge about the action to be changed, a resolve
Childhood trauma reactions: worksheet REST strategy Read More »
The Self-defeating Coping Strategies Worksheet helps you to see the cost of unsuitable, though understandable, coping strategies. When emotional and physical pain feels more intense and occurs more frequently than it does for other people, the ensuing distress comes on more quickly and feels like an overwhelming tidal wave, and it never seems to end.
Childhood trauma: Self-defeating Coping Strategies Worksheet Read More »
ACE test on childhood trauma “ACE” in ACE Test stands for Adverse Childhood Experiences. This was the name of a study to assess childhood trauma among more than 17,000 adults in the USA. The study clearly showed the connection between childhood trauma and the mental and physical health of those affected in later life. A
In 2008, the American Psychological Association published “The Road to Resilience” to help people deal with difficult events that change their lives. The death of a loved one, loss of a job, serious illness, terrorist attacks, and other traumatic events are very challenging life experiences. Many people react to such circumstances with a flood of
Insights from trauma therapy help us understand what goes on in our brain when we receive a cancer diagnosis. Cancer diagnosis: nightmares, flashbacks, intrusions The “natural” pathways in the information processing system are blocked, which can lead to typical post-traumatic stress symptoms. Many people who have experienced a traumatic or highly frightening situation are familiar
Breast cancer – What happens in the brain with a cancer diagnosis? Read More »
There is still a great deal of uncertainty about the causes of breast cancer. However, what is clear is that the transformation of a single normal cell into a malignant one causes cancer to develop. This change leads to the fact that this cell divides unhindered until, finally, millions of cells form tumours. Every year
Toxic relationships – definition A toxic relationship is a relationship characterised by behaviours on the part of a toxic partner damaging to their partner, either emotionally, physically or both. While a healthy relationship contributes to our self-esteem and emotional energy, a toxic relationship damages self-esteem and drains energy. Even a good relationship may have its
Understand your emotional triggers – and how to deal with them The world can be great and beautiful, but it can also be evil and scary. Some have to endure hardships or deal with traumatic experiences. Such past experiences can affect the way we respond to events in the present. Then emotional triggers can cause
