The first time something bad happens, our survival system is able to recognize that while it was indeed bad, it was a one-time event, and is unlikely to happen again. We take stock of what happened, tuck it away, and move on with our lives.
The next time something bad happens, however – especially something that looks like, sounds like, smells like or feels like what happened before – our survival system kicks into gear. “That wasn’t a random, chance event!” it says. “It could happen any time and you need to be ready for it!” Enter in anxiety, sleep disturbances, intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, disturbing dreams, physical complaints that doctors can’t explain and many other manifestations of a self unsafe in its world.
While some clients know what their triggering event was – a car crash, a mugging, a botched surgery, a sexual assault, an abusive relationship, the loss of a child – they may not know that prior events may be contributing to what they’re feeling. In fact, most clients are surprised to learn that their symptoms are probably manifestations of trauma.