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 »
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
Thought-Stopping: stop your inner critic in his tracks A constant stream of thoughts, worries, perceptions, and information rushes through our minds like “internal noise.” Occasionally, we must interrupt this noise flow, particularly if it turns into vicious attacks from a toxic inner critic. A technique called thought-stopping can interrupt any chain of unwanted, nagging thoughts.
Childhood trauma: thought-stopping against shame and fear Read More »
Unfortunately, suffering through childhood trauma can have many faces. All faces of childhood trauma are equally ugly, as they hit vulnerable human beings when they cannot cope with poor parenting. Yet, not all of these faces are easily recognizable to trauma survivors and the environment. There are four forms of childhood trauma: physical (including sexual),
Deal with panic or fear to lose control using the “butterfly hug” and “reorientation in the present” Anxiety: butterfly hug (BLS) Note: Please only perform the butterfly hug for as long as it feels good. If anxiety, negative associations or negative emotions arise, stop the exercise by opening your eyes. Anxiety: reorientation in the present
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 »
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
Testosterone – things you should know about it Testosterone builds muscle and makes you more masculine – at least most of the time. It is also true that testosterone, especially testosterone deficiency, is often misunderstood. Testosterone and stress Actually, testosterone is not essential when you are under stress. We need the stress hormone cortisol for
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
