The Trauma Recovery School

Bonita explains that a 'hijack' can occur when the brain's emotional centre, the amygdala, reacts instantaneously to a perceived threat, bypassing the rational brain. This can lead to impulsive and intense emotional reactions, often hindering logical thinking and causing us to act based on instinct rather than reason.

Bonita talks about implicit memory and how if affects thoughts and behaviours. These memories are automatic, long term and linked to our emotional system. She also explains the difference to explicit memory. Bonita also provides a story of her own where trauma has had an impact on her own implicit memory.

Social anxiety or social phobia can leave us feeling anxious about being judged and can have an impact on our life and confidence. Bonita describes some of the symptoms and what happens in our body as well as tips on how to recover from this common anxiety.

This episodes discusses memory loss and the links to trauma. Memory loss doesn't need to be permanent after a traumatic event. Bonita explains what happens to the areas of the brain when memory is affected.

Bonita explains what a trauma trigger is and how it links to past experiences.Triggers are very personal so must be dealt with using the right tools. These can often be specific to the individual. The good news is it is possible to be trauma free.

Fear can be helpful and actually protect us. Feeling afraid is natural and it keeps us safe. Bonita provides some interesting facts about fear and when it can actually assist us. Not all fear is bad.

This episode discusses the close relationship between anxiety and excitement – both produce similar feelings within the body that we are all familiar with, but the meaning we attached to it can be quite different. Bonita provides some useful tips to ‘flip’ the feelings and address that anxiety.

This episode explores what erodes confidence as women and what can be done to rebuild it. Negative experiences in the past can also have an impact. Self awareness is key to understanding why you lack confidence and Bonita provides some great insights as to how to lay the foundations for a more confident life. 

Many people are unaware of the affect that menopausal symptoms can have on the brain - these symptoms must not be ignored as it can have long lasting detrimental effects. Fortunately there are things that can be done to improve the mind and body at this challenging time for lots of women.