The Healing of The Healing of Healers Healers Challenges to overcome the effects of stress, Challenges to overcome the effects of stress, trauma and vicarious traumatization trauma and vicarious traumatization
The Healing of HealersThe Healing of HealersChallenges to overcome the effects of stress, trauma and vicarious Challenges to overcome the effects of stress, trauma and vicarious traumatizationtraumatization
Stress and Trauma are a significant Stress and Trauma are a significant health problem in the US.health problem in the US.
Up to 80% of physical illness is related to stress, life's Up to 80% of physical illness is related to stress, life's experiences, overwhelming events experiences, overwhelming events – – Paul Boyle, Paul Boyle, Director Director of Holistic Trauma Healing, Nairobiof Holistic Trauma Healing, Nairobi
If unrecognized or undervalued it will undermine all If unrecognized or undervalued it will undermine all attempts to heal individuals, communities and society at attempts to heal individuals, communities and society at large.large.
Often, we treat the symptom, pop a pill, instead of dealing Often, we treat the symptom, pop a pill, instead of dealing with the sourcewith the source
We must do bothWe must do both
The first five years after Post The first five years after Post Conflict – war in Iraq, AfghanistanConflict – war in Iraq, Afghanistan
If there is no longer an enemy the impact of the trauma If there is no longer an enemy the impact of the trauma must be displaced – on someone, somewhere, somehowmust be displaced – on someone, somewhere, somehow
The displacement will go back to the cultureThe displacement will go back to the culture
SpouseSpouse
ChildChild
Addictions: alcohol, drug, sex abuse, homicide, suicideAddictions: alcohol, drug, sex abuse, homicide, suicide
Healing ProcessHealing Process
How do we heal the effects How do we heal the effects of stress and trauma?of stress and trauma?Name ItName ItClaim It Claim It Tame It Tame It
If you don’t deal with trauma …If you don’t deal with trauma …trauma will deal with you.trauma will deal with you.
If you don’t manage it …If you don’t manage it …it will manage you.it will manage you.
If you don’t control it …If you don’t control it …it will control youit will control you
If you don’t sort it out …If you don’t sort it out …it will sort you outit will sort you out
Trauma doesn’t go away like Trauma doesn’t go away like stressstress
It remembers itself somewhere in our system, in our It remembers itself somewhere in our system, in our minds, bodies and souls. minds, bodies and souls.
It affects our thoughts, feelings and relationships.It affects our thoughts, feelings and relationships.
Often in the place that wants to be gratified which Often in the place that wants to be gratified which promotes self medication and in turn addictionspromotes self medication and in turn addictions
All human beings seek happiness however when All human beings seek happiness however when stressed/traumatised we tend to seek and gain only stressed/traumatised we tend to seek and gain only pleasure that does not fulfil.pleasure that does not fulfil.
There is always a triggerThere is always a trigger
Something that will evoke a memorySomething that will evoke a memory
Smell, sounds, sights, dates, familiar people, Smell, sounds, sights, dates, familiar people, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.
The memory remains stored in the brain and comes The memory remains stored in the brain and comes alive as if it is happening all over again and again.alive as if it is happening all over again and again.
Indicators of Stress & TraumaIndicators of Stress & Trauma
StressStress TraumaTrauma Severe TraumaSevere Trauma
AngerAnger RageRage HomicideHomicideSadnessSadness DepressionDepression SuicideSuicide
FearFear TerrorTerror GenocideGenocideDistrustDistrust ParanoiaParanoia Serious Mental Serious Mental
IllnessIllnessControlledControlled ManipulatedManipulated AbusedAbusedHelplessHelpless HopelessHopeless UselessUseless
One traumatized person can One traumatized person can traumatize 100 peopletraumatize 100 people
Stress is momentary, whereas TraumaStress is momentary, whereas Trauma
Is a way of lifeIs a way of life
Alters the EgoAlters the Ego
Causes a Negative Life changeCauses a Negative Life change
Can create permanent emotional, physical and Can create permanent emotional, physical and mental disability.mental disability.
Can Lead to PTSDCan Lead to PTSD
Two Emergency Responses to TraumaTwo Emergency Responses to Trauma
Hyper-Arousal = Fight or FlightHyper-Arousal = Fight or Flight
Dissociation = FreezeDissociation = Freeze
Hyper-Arousal/Fight or Flight Hyper-Arousal/Fight or Flight
Fear – TerrorFear – Terror
Adrenal System increasesAdrenal System increases
Heart/Blood pressure system increaseHeart/Blood pressure system increase
Serotonin decreasesSerotonin decreases
Cognitive Process hyperCognitive Process hyper
Respiration increasesRespiration increases
Adult male response – aggressionAdult male response – aggression
Potential homicidePotential homicide
Dissociation/FreezeDissociation/Freeze
Defeat – surrenderDefeat – surrender
Numbing – dissociationNumbing – dissociation
Freezing feelings – CompliantFreezing feelings – Compliant
FaintingFainting
Heart Rate decreasesHeart Rate decreases
Sensory alterationsSensory alterations
Muscles go numbMuscles go numb
PassivePassive
Potential suicidePotential suicide
Possible ResponsesPossible Responses
DenialDenial
Trauma remains Trauma remains unconscious and is subject unconscious and is subject to triggers where the to triggers where the trauma is stored – the trauma is stored – the place where the brain place where the brain wants stimulationswants stimulations
Drugs, Sex, ViolenceDrugs, Sex, Violence
Reward > addictionsReward > addictions
HealingHealing
Begins by reflecting on the Begins by reflecting on the symptoms and the traumatic symptoms and the traumatic eventevent
A supportive environment that A supportive environment that takes serious the reality of takes serious the reality of traumatrauma
PrayerPrayer
ProcessingProcessing
Forgiving the pastForgiving the past
Process of Trauma (PTSD)Process of Trauma (PTSD)35% of symptoms on regular basis 35% of symptoms on regular basis
indicates presence of Traumaindicates presence of Trauma ShockShock
NumbnessNumbness
Denial/DisconnectedDenial/Disconnected
Reoccurring anxietyReoccurring anxiety
NightmaresNightmares
Changes in appetiteChanges in appetite
Trouble sleepingTrouble sleeping
Shame/GuiltShame/Guilt
Being on edgeBeing on edge
Despair/HopelessDespair/Hopeless
Easily startledEasily startled
Low energy/depressingLow energy/depressing
Constantly busyConstantly busy
Memory ProblemsMemory Problems
Overly Alert/AgitatedOverly Alert/Agitated
Unable to focusUnable to focus
ResentfulResentful
Difficulty making decisionsDifficulty making decisions
Spontaneous cryingSpontaneous crying
Over-protective of loved onesOver-protective of loved ones
Healing ProcessHealing Process
How do we heal the effects How do we heal the effects of stress and trauma?of stress and trauma?Name ItName ItClaim It Claim It Tame It Tame It
RecommendationRecommendation
Goal: For therapists, police, medical staff, clergy who Goal: For therapists, police, medical staff, clergy who are exposed to vicarious or direct trauma attend a full 5 are exposed to vicarious or direct trauma attend a full 5 day workshopday workshop
The affected and those infected by stress and trauma The affected and those infected by stress and trauma get one on one support to overcome and process the get one on one support to overcome and process the symptoms of the stress or traumasymptoms of the stress or trauma
Contact: Contact: [email protected]
www.holistictraumahealing.org