The relationship between traumatic childhood experiences and physical and emotional health outcomes in adult life is undeniable. The landmark Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE) Study (www.acestudy.org), a collaborative effort of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Kaiser Health Plan’s Department of Preventative Medicine in San Diego, CA. The ACE Study identified the following nine categories of childhood abuse and household dysfunction:
- Recurrent physical abuse
- Recurrent emotional abuse
- Contact sexual abuse
- An alcohol and/or drug abuser in the household
- An incarcerated household member
- A household member who is chronically depressed, mentally ill, institutionalized, or suicidal
- Mother is treated violently
- One or no parents
- Emotional or physical neglect
Trauma
TRAUMA
Accidents or death witnessed by first responders and veterans, survivors of motor vehicle accidents and natural disasters, crime victims, difficult pregnancy or hospitalization are types of single incident trauma that often result in post-traumatic stress disorder.
Trauma
TRAUMA
Accidents or death witnessed by first responders and veterans, survivors of motor vehicle accidents and natural disasters, crime victims, difficult pregnancy or hospitalization are types of single incident trauma that often result in post-traumatic stress disorder.
Anger
ANGER
Anger is a signal worth listening to, and yet anger can be very destructive. The mind needs to be reeducated to feel the physical sensations of anger, and the body needs to be helped to tolerate and regulate the intense sensations. Individuals who lack emotional awareness are able, with practice, to connect their physical sensations to their emotions. Anger becomes helpful, instead of being destructive.
Anger
ANGER
Anger is a signal worth listening to, and yet anger can be very destructive. The mind needs to be reeducated to feel the physical sensations of anger, and the body needs to be helped to tolerate and regulate the intense sensations. Individuals who lack emotional awareness are able, with practice, to connect their physical sensations to their emotions. Anger becomes helpful, instead of being destructive.
Emotion
EMOTION
In my practice I begin the process by helping my patients to first notice and then describe the feelings in their bodies—not emotions such as anger or anxiety or fear but the physical sensations beneath the emotions: pressure, heat, muscular tension, tingling, caving in, feeling hollow, and so on. I also work on identifying the sensations associated with relaxation or pleasure. I help them become aware of their breath, their gestures and movements.
Emotion
EMOTION
In my practice I begin the process by helping my patients to first notice and then describe the feelings in their bodies—not emotions such as anger or anxiety or fear but the physical sensations beneath the emotions: pressure, heat, muscular tension, tingling, caving in, feeling hollow, and so on. I also work on identifying the sensations associated with relaxation or pleasure. I help them become aware of their breath, their gestures and movements.
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Block quote
Block quote
“Traumatized people chronically feel unsafe inside their bodies: The past is alive in the form of gnawing interior discomfort. Their bodies are constantly bombarded by visceral warning signs, and, in an attempt to control these processes, they often become expert at ignoring their gut feelings and in numbing awareness of what is played out inside. They learn to hide from their selves.”