The Impact of Trauma on an Empath

In today’s episode, Samantha and Denise discuss the physical, emotional, and spiritual impacts of trauma. As empaths we tend to feel things on such a deep and visceral level, the short and long term effects of trauma are no exception.

According to Dr. Rochelle Suri, in an article found on Strengthtoheal.org, all causes of trauma have three aspects in common:

* An external cause: It is believed trauma is inflicted from someone or something else, not self generated. There is often a suddenness and unpredictability of the situation or experience. * Violation: This refers to a feeling of being invaded, physically, emotionally or psychologically with an unwelcomed and unexpected person or situation that causes major distress.* Loss of control: Because the traumatic experience is unexpected and sudden, individuals, more often than not, are unprepared for the situation potentially resulting in a sense of feeling overwhelmed and helpless, leaving someone feeling extremely vulnerable and exposed.

Physical effects of trauma include exhaustion, confusion, sadness, anxiety, agitation, numbness, and dissociation. After experiencing trauma, the muscles can often restrict and become fatigued. Trauma stimulates the central nervous system which can cause all sorts of problems. For starters, it makes us create more cortisol which releases more sugar and impacts inflammation creating a domino of negative side effects of the body. 

Though trauma and it’s effects are unique and individual to the person, it is important to recognize the impact it may have had or be having on your life in order to be able to start to heal and move forward.

Books mentioned in this episode:

The Body Never Lies by Alice Miller

Complex PTSD: From Surviving to Thriving by Pete Walker

Healing the Shame that Binds by John Bradshaw

Emotional Child Abuse: The Family Curse by Joel Covitz

What Happened to You by Oprah

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