In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss trauma and the effects it can have on a person's life.

They cover the different stages of trauma, ways psychologists treat it, and effective practices you can use to work on trauma yourself.

• Emily starts the conversation by defining trauma from a clinical perspective.
• Paul and Emily agree that you cannot treat PTSD if the person is still in a traumatic environment.
• Emily describes the physical changes in a person's brain after experiencing a traumatic event.
• According to Paul, no two traumas are the same - never compare a person's trauma to someone else's. Trauma often comes down to its impact on the individual.
• Paul explains that it's possible for people to hang on to their trauma, especially if it's meshed into their identity.
• Paul and Emily talk about the effects of failure on a person's self-worth.
• According to Emily, a person's brain that was rewired by trauma can be rewired again through healing and therapeutic experiences.
• Paul goes through the three basic elements of motivation:
  1. You have to challenge yourself.
  2. You need someone who will encourage you.
  3. You must see growth and be able to measure it.
• According to Emily, not all trauma is bad or needs to be fixed - you can lead a happy and fulfilling life without needing therapy.
• Paul shares ways to help someone who grew up in a traumatic environment.
• Talking to people about their trauma starts with trust, and you cannot build trust without giving people the truth.
• Paul and Emily go through the seven ideals of healing trauma.
• Emily describes the power of changing your story in trauma healing - you are the story you tell yourself. You are either a victim or a victor of life.
• Paul and Emily share their opposing thoughts on trauma and discuss whether forgiveness is the correct response to trauma.

 

 

Mentioned in This Episode:

optamerican.com

Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy, and Smart―Until You're 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley et al