Madeeha Syed

Explore the link between trauma and dissociation and understand the coping mechanism. Meri Sehat provides insights into the psychological impact of trauma.

The Link Between Trauma And Dissociation: Understanding The Coping Mechanism

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How To Spot Early Signs Of Trauma In Your Child

Overview

Our bodies have an innate fight or flight system which registers any threats in the environment and responds to it. These responses range from increased heart rate, sweating, upset stomach and rapid breathing to hypervigilance, confusion, numbness, fear and chills. Our brain processes stressful situations by causing the release of stress hormones such as cortisol and adrenaline. 

Chronic stress means your stress response system is chronically stimulated which leads to significant long-term effects. Your threshold for stress is also lowered and now you fail to cope with minor inconveniences as well as even they can send your system into overdrive. 
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Effects Of Trauma

Chronic stress is even worse for the developing brain. As the child grows, connections are built in the brain according the experiences and environments it is exposed to. These connections can become hardwired overtime. Overwhelming stress, fearful events, violence and neglect lead to dysfunctional development in parts of the brain that process emotions and learning. Hence, one can imagine how this might impact the child&rsquo;s behaviour and overall personality as they grow older. 

In her book, Children See Too Much: Lessons from the Child Witness to Violence Project, Betsy McAlister Groves mentions, &ldquo;Those children who have secure relationships have a more controlled stress hormone reaction when they are upset or frightened. They are able to explore the world, meet challenges and be frightened at times and calmed without sustained reactivity to stress and threat. In contrast, children whose caregiving relationships are insecure, disorganised, or unpredictable demonstrate higher stress hormone levels when they are even mildly frightened and their expectations for a safe and predictable world are shattered.&rdquo;

The signs of a traumatic childhood can be readily observed in children and can take many forms. Identifying these signs early on can help drive intervention at the right time and prevent further damage. 

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<h5>For Infants (Birth to Three years)</h5>

Since infants can&rsquo;t talk and are highly dependent on their caregivers for everything, it might be hard to assess whether the following are signs of trauma or the child is just sick. It&rsquo;s important therefore to assess these in the context of their caregiving history and environment. A traumatised infant may have: 

<ul>
	<li>Eating disturbances</li>
	<li>Sleep disturbances</li>
	<li>Be clingy or separation anxiety</li>
	<li>Irritable or difficult to soothe</li>
	<li>Constricted play, exploration, mood</li>
	<li>Repetitive/post-traumatic play</li>
	<li>Developmental regression</li>
	<li>General fearfulness/new fears</li>
	<li>Easily startled</li>
	<li>Language delay</li>
	<li>Aggressive behaviour</li>
	<li>Sexualised behaviour</li>
</ul>

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<h5>Young Children (Three to Six years)</h5>

This is when most children start going to school, forming connections and making friends. Some of the signs of stress or trauma in this age group are very easily identifiable and can look something like: 

<ul>
	<li>Avoidant, anxious, clingy behaviour </li>
	<li>General fearfulness/new fears</li>
	<li>Helplessness, passivity</li>
	<li>Restless, impulsive, hyperactive</li>
	<li>Physical symptoms (headaches, stomach aches etc.)</li>
	<li>Difficulty identifying what is bothering them</li>
	<li>Inattention, difficulty problem solving</li>
	<li>Daydreaming or dissociation</li>
	<li>Irritability</li>
	<li>Aggressive behaviour</li>
	<li>Sexualised behaviour</li>
	<li>Loss of recent developmental achievements</li>
	<li>Repetitive/post-traumatic play</li>
	<li>Talking about the traumatic event and reacting to reminders and trauma triggers</li>
	<li>Sadness/depression</li>
	<li>Poor peer relationships and social problems (controlling or over permissive)</li>
	<li>Poor academic performance </li>
</ul>

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<h5>Older Children</h5>

For children older than six years of age and well into their teenage years, trauma might manifest as:

<ul>
	<li>Feeling sadness or worthlessness</li>
	<li>Showing intense outbursts of anger and aggression</li>
	<li>Being easily frightened or scared</li>
	<li>Feeling guilt or shame</li>
	<li>Feeling depressed or alone</li>
	<li>Purposefully isolating themselves </li>
	<li>Easily frustrated</li>
	<li>Showing signs of dissociation, being withdrawn, closed-off, not present, or shut down </li>
	<li>Having problems focusing or concentrating on school work, projects, tasks, and/or conversation</li>
	<li>Regressive behaviour where they return to an earlier stage of development, such as wetting the bed and/or thumb sucking</li>
	<li>Refusing to go to school</li>
	<li>Crying frequently </li>
	<li>Having difficulty sleeping</li>
	<li>Gaining or losing weight suddenly</li>
	<li>Changing their eating habits or showing signs of disordered eating or an eating disorder</li>
	<li>Exhibiting reckless and risky behaviours such as substance abuse </li>
	<li>Inappropriate sexual activity</li>
	<li>Showing signs of self-harm such as cutting or suicidal ideations</li>
	<li>Expressing extreme concern about their safety 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Conclusion

Trauma isn&rsquo;t what happens to us but how we respond to a certain stressful situation. A child who has had to wait a little longer for their parents to pick them up might register it as abandonment and another child might not. Then other times it may be a violent situation that has traumatised your child. Either way, early recognition is key and has to be followed up with reparations ideally in a professional setting.

&nbsp;

Dr. Safia Mehmood

What Is Trauma Dumping?

Trauma is a common experience for many people, and it can have a lasting impact on our mental and emotional well-being. When someone has experienced trauma, they may feel the need to talk about it with others as a way of processing their emotions and finding support. However, sometimes this sharing can become too much, and the person may end up dumping their trauma onto someone else in a way that is unhealthy and potentially harmful. This is known as trauma dumping, and it can be difficult to deal with. In this article, we will explore what trauma dumping is, why it happens, and how to cope with it. 
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Trauma dumping is a term used to describe the act of sharing trauma-related experiences with someone else in a way that is overwhelming and potentially damaging. It often involves an intense outpouring of emotions, including anger, fear, and sadness. The person doing the dumping may feel a temporary sense of relief from sharing their experiences, but the other person is left feeling burdened and potentially traumatized themselves. 
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Trauma dumping can happen for a variety of reasons. Sometimes, the person doing the dumping may not have had the opportunity to process their trauma in a healthy way, and they feel a strong need to talk about it with someone. Other times, they may feel like they are not being heard or understood by others, and they turn to trauma dumping as a way of getting attention. Trauma dumping can also be a way for the person to feel like they are in control of their experiences, even if they are reliving them in an unhealthy way. 
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The Impact Of Trauma Dumping On Others

Trauma dumping can have a profound impact on the person who is on the receiving end of it. They may feel overwhelmed, anxious, and even traumatized themselves. They may also feel like they are responsible for the other person&#39;s emotions and experiences, which can be a heavy burden to bear. In some cases, trauma dumping can damage relationships, as the other person may not feel like they can continue to support the person doing the dumping. 
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Cope With Trauma Dumping

If you find yourself on the receiving end of trauma dumping, there are some strategies you can use to cope with the experience. The first step is to recognize that you are not responsible for the other person&#39;s emotions and experiences. It is important to set boundaries and communicate your needs to the person doing the dumping. Let them know that you care about them and want to support them, but that you are not equipped to handle their trauma in this way. 
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Another helpful strategy is to encourage the person to seek professional help. A therapist or counselor can provide them with the support and guidance they need to process their trauma in a healthy way. You can also suggest other forms of self-care, such as exercise, meditation, or creative outlets. 
If you are the person who is experiencing trauma dumping, it is important to recognize that this behavior is not healthy or productive. It is important to seek professional help to process your trauma in a healthy way. You can also try journaling or talking to a trusted friend or family member about your experiences, but it is important to be mindful of their emotional boundaries and needs. 
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Trauma dumping is a complex psychological phenomenon that can have a profound impact on both the person doing the dumping and the person on the receiving end. It is important to recognize the signs of trauma dumping and how to cope with it in a healthy way. It is important to set boundaries, communicate your needs, and encourage the person to seek professional help. Remember that taking care of your own mental and emotional well-being is essential for being able to support others. 
&nbsp;

Rukhsana Rizwan

Can You Recover From Trauma? Here Are 5 Therapy Options

Recovering from trauma is a journey that can feel daunting, but it&#39;s essential to know that healing is possible. Trauma therapy offers a range of evidence-based approaches to help individuals regain a sense of control, resilience, and well-being. In this article, we will explore five therapy options that can aid in your recovery from trauma. 
&nbsp;

Therapy Options for Trauma

<h5>1. Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Restructuring Negative Thoughts</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Cognitive Restructuring: CBT focuses on identifying and challenging negative thought patterns and beliefs that often result from traumatic experiences. By recognizing and altering these cognitive distortions, individuals can develop healthier thought processes and coping strategies.</li>
	<li>Exposure Therapy: Exposure therapy is a CBT technique used to reduce anxiety and fear associated with traumatic memories or situations. It involves gradual and controlled exposure to the traumatic memory, helping individuals process and desensitize their emotional response. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>2. Eye Movement Desensitization And Reprocessing (EMDR): Processing Traumatic Memories</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Reprocessing Trauma: EMDR is a specialized therapy designed to help individuals process traumatic memories and reduce their emotional intensity. It involves guided eye movements or other forms of bilateral stimulation while discussing the traumatic event. This therapy can lead to significant symptom reduction and emotional healing. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>3. Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT): Emotion Regulation</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Emotion Regulation: DBT is particularly useful for individuals who struggle with managing intense emotions resulting from trauma. It teaches emotion regulation skills, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and interpersonal effectiveness, helping individuals regain emotional control and stability. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>4. Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT): Tailored For Trauma</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Child And Adolescent Focus: TF-CBT is specifically designed for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma. It incorporates elements of CBT and play therapy to help young individuals process traumatic experiences, reduce symptoms, and restore a sense of safety and well-being. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

<h5>5. Somatic Experiencing (SE): Healing through Body Awareness</h5>

<ul>
	<li>Engaging The Body: Somatic Experiencing recognizes the connection between trauma and physical sensations in the body. It encourages individuals to become more aware of bodily sensations, helping them release trapped trauma energy and regain a sense of safety and control. 
	&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Bottom Line

Recovering from trauma is an individualized process, and what works best for one person may differ for another. The key is to seek help and support tailored to your needs and experiences. Therapy offers a safe space to explore your trauma, develop coping strategies, and work towards reclaiming your life. Remember that healing is possible, and by taking steps towards therapy and recovery, you can embark on a journey towards a brighter, more resilient future.

Staff Writer

<div style="border:none #d9d9e3 1.0pt; padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
Dissociation is a defense mechanism that the mind employs in response to overwhelming and distressing experiences, often rooted in trauma. This coping mechanism can significantly affect an individual&#39;s mental health and functioning. In this article, we delve into the intricate relationship between trauma and dissociation, aiming to foster a deeper understanding of this complex phenomenon. 
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</div>

Link Between Trauma and Dissociation

<div style="border:none #d9d9e3 1.0pt; padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
<h5>1. Defining Dissociation</h5>

Dissociation Explained: Dissociation is a mental process where an individual disconnects from their thoughts, feelings, memories, or sense of identity. It&#39;s like a protective shield that the mind creates when faced with emotional or psychological distress. 
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<h5>2. The Impact Of Trauma</h5>

Trauma as a Precursor: Trauma is a common precursor to dissociation. When individuals experience traumatic events, their minds may employ dissociation as a means to escape the intense emotional and physical pain associated with those experiences. 
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<h5>3. Types Of Dissociation</h5>

Understanding Varieties: Dissociation isn&#39;t a one-size-fits-all phenomenon. It can manifest in various forms, such as depersonalization (feeling detached from oneself), derealization (feeling disconnected from reality), amnesia (memory gaps), or identity confusion (feeling like multiple personalities). 
&nbsp;

<h5>4. Coping Mechanism And Survival</h5>

The Brain&#39;s Defense: Dissociation is the brain&#39;s way of protecting itself from emotional harm during traumatic events. By detaching from the experience, individuals can temporarily reduce the intensity of their emotional responses, allowing them to survive and endure the trauma. 
&nbsp;

<h5>5. Complex Relationship: Trauma And Dissociation</h5>

Mutual Reinforcement: Trauma and dissociation often reinforce each other in a cyclical manner. Dissociation can make it challenging for individuals to process traumatic memories, and unresolved trauma can lead to further dissociative experiences. 
&nbsp;

<h5>6. Seeking Help And Healing</h5>

Therapy and Support: Recovery from dissociation often involves therapy, particularly trauma-focused therapy like EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT). These therapeutic approaches help individuals process trauma, regain control over their dissociation, and develop healthy coping strategies. 
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<h5>7. Building Resilience</h5>

Regaining a Sense of Self: Healing from dissociation involves reconnecting with one&#39;s emotions, memories, and identity. By addressing trauma, learning healthy coping mechanisms, and building emotional resilience, individuals can regain control over their lives and reclaim their sense of self. 
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<div style="border:none #d9d9e3 1.0pt; padding:0in 0in 0in 0in">
The link between trauma and dissociation highlights the profound impact that traumatic experiences can have on the human psyche. Understanding this connection is essential in providing support, empathy, and appropriate interventions to those who struggle with dissociation. By acknowledging the role of trauma in dissociation and offering avenues for healing, we can contribute to the recovery and well-being of individuals affected by this coping mechanism.
</div>