11/11/2024
💡Here is an explanation of each of the 5 trauma "stuck points" listed:
1️⃣ The World is Unsafe: After a traumatic event, the fundamental belief that the world is a safe place can be shattered. This can cause one to become hypervigilant and always on the lookout for danger, perpetuating a sense of “global unsafety”.
2️⃣ Trust No One: Trauma often involves a betrayal of trust, especially if it was inflicted by someone close or in a position of authority. This can lead to a broad mistrust of others, impacting all future relationships and interactions as one may isolate and emotionally withdraw as a “protective response”.
3️⃣ Those in Power = Dangerous: If the trauma involved an abuse of power, one may develop a general belief that people in power are not to be trusted and are a source of danger. This can result in the avoidance of situations where power dynamics are at play, a fear of vulnerability, and a fear of not being fully in control of a situation.
4️⃣ Feeling Unworthy: Those who’ve experienced trauma may believe they’re to blame for it, that they’re “broken”, or that they’re “flawed”. This can reinforce the trauma narrative and prevent healing and self-compassion.
5️⃣ Intimacy = Hurt: Experiencing trauma, particularly in close relationships, can lead to an association between intimacy and pain. This stems from the vulnerability required in intimate relationships, which, if exploited, can leave deep emotional wounds. As a result, one may come to equate intimacy with the potential for hurt, leading them to avoid closeness to protect themselves from future pain.
