Resources for Understanding Trauma

One way we all Perpetuate Traumatic Systems is by Not recognizing the Massive number of Involuntary processes occurring throughout a person’s life that form who they are.  This is not y/Our fault!  I hope the following post I made on my FB page "Somatic Schools" helps increase understanding of involuntary processes and how shame/blame diminishes everyone's access to health and safety. 

The Genetics/Chemistry/Processes/Brain Structures given to you are all - involuntary.   

 In the womb, you were given harmful substances that affected your brain/chemistry/body even more or you were not given these things– involuntary  

You were given or not given adequate nutrition in the womb which contributed to your formation – also involuntary  

You were born into an Environment/Home/Culture you did not choose - Involuntary.   

The Experiences you had as a child based on your Family’s hierarchical status and access to Basic needs - involuntary    

You continued to receive or not receive the nutrition that your body needed to grow properly as a child - Involuntary   

You were programmed to behave in certain ways as a child to get your needs met – also, Involuntary   

All the Traumatic Programs which taught you that worthiness was connected to what you could produce, how long you kept your mouth shut, not asking for what you needed, being forced to submit to abusive systems – Involuntary  

For many of us, who we were was largely not honored, our natural gifts not encouraged, because our government was forcing teachers to ask us to memorize irrelevant information based on what would be on their standardized tests -- Involuntary   

You were given belonging and made to feel worthy when you produced the results they were asking for – Involuntary  

 You were abused or neglected as a child or you were not - Involuntary 

  You had access to emotional/mental health resources, or you did not as a child – Involuntary 

  You were taught Loving-Kindness toward Yourself or You were Not taught this – Involuntary  

 You were taught Loving-Kindness toward Others, or you Were Not taught this – Involuntary 

  You were taught Loving-Kindness toward plants, animals, and ecosystems or you were not - Involuntary   

When You go out into the World, most of what your Brain’s cranial nerves bring in from the environment – what you see, hear, touch, taste, and smell – Involuntary  (of course, those with more privilege have access to moving more easily, travel, living in “better” neighborhoods, accessing higher quality foods, etc.)   

Your brain’s Limbic System (Hippocampus, Amygdala, Hypothalamus, Thalamus, Basal Ganglia) works with many AUTONOMIC Processes like Fight, Flight, Freeze, Hormones, and Brain Chemicals is ALSO responsible for associating your INVOLUNTARY childhood experiences with the various senses.    

The Hippocampus is where episodic memories are formed and associated to the inputs from cranial nerve senses.    Example: Smell gingerbread ---> think Christmas    

The Amygdala works to attach EMOTIONAL content to memories which is why a Traumatic Event can create extra Powerful Associations in our Memories.  

The Basal Ganglia is also responsible for emotions, Reward processing, dopamine release, learning, behavior, and motor movement   Example: Abused by Caregivers throughout childhood, one particularly horrific experience on Christmas-->Smell Gingerbread --->Feel sensations of Fear/Anxiety ---> retreat from others instead of participating ---> drinking alcohol for relief

 When you see an adult child behaving in ways that are not healthy, not Kind, or not wise, and your first response is to blame or shame them, you might want to ask –   

What Involuntary experiences did I go through as a child that make me blame them instead of growing curious about what happened to them?    

What’s going on with their brain chemistry, nutrition, and hormones?   

What Unhealed Traumatic Memories are being associated with strong emotions which cause this person to behave this way?   

What inputs of Loving-Kindness in their body/minds might help them to heal?