In the previous blog post, Managing Anxiety: Survive or Thrive, we delved into practical strategies for managing anxiety daily. In this post, I want to confront an often invisible battle and embark on a deeper exploration of trauma, which is considered a significant contributor to anxiety, and how we can recover from it. Beyond mere survival, our goal is to thrive and reclaim inner peace amidst life's storms of worry and unrest.
In the realm of mental health, anxiety is often viewed as a complex and multifaceted issue that extends far beyond the surface-level symptoms. Rather than merely being a reaction to external stressors, anxiety frequently originates from deep-seated psychological and emotional factors within our psyche. Understanding and addressing these root causes is crucial for achieving lasting healing and relief from anxiety.
One significant contributor to anxiety is trauma. Traumatic experiences can leave a profound imprint on our psyche, whether in childhood or later in life. Trauma can be understood from two different lenses:
“Big T” Trauma
This refers to the egregious events that we all think of when we think of trauma. These are typically life-threatening or profoundly distressing and could include experiences like natural disasters, serious accidents, physical or sexual assault, combat, terrorism, or witnessing a violent crime. Big T traumas often result in intense emotional reactions and can have long-lasting effects on a person's mental health and well-being. They may lead to conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or complex PTSD.
“Little T” Trauma
This refers to the everyday and less overtly distressing events we all experience that still significantly impacts an individual's emotional and psychological well-being. These events might include experiences like ongoing emotional abuse, neglect, bullying, family conflict, divorce, or loss of a loved one. While these events may not be as immediately life-threatening or dramatic as “big T” traumas, they can still cause considerable distress and have lasting effects on a person's mental health. “Little T” traumas can contribute to issues like anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and difficulties forming healthy relationships.
Interestingly, both “Big T” and “Little T” trauma affect the brain in the same way. Trauma, in general, activates the stress response in the body, releasing stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline, which results in the physical change of your brain structure involved in controlling memory, emotional regulation, and stress management, such as the amygdala, hippocampus, and prefrontal cortex. Over time, repeated exposure to these traumatic stressors can cause alterations in these brain regions, contributing to mental health conditions, including anxiety.
The reality here is that trauma can disrupt our sense of safety and security, leaving us hyper-vigilant and prone to anxiety as we anticipate potential threats in our environment. Unresolved trauma can also manifest as intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, and hypervigilance, fueling the cycle of anxiety.
Attachment wounds, stemming from early relationships with caregivers, also play a pivotal role in shaping our relationship with anxiety. Attachment theory posits that the quality of our early attachments influences our ability to regulate emotions and form healthy relationships later in life. Children who experience inconsistent caregiving, neglect, or abandonment may develop insecure attachment styles characterized by fear of abandonment or rejection. These attachment wounds can predispose individuals to anxiety, as they may struggle with feelings of unworthiness, abandonment anxiety, or difficulty trusting others.
Furthermore, maladaptive thought patterns and beliefs contribute significantly to the perpetuation of anxiety. These cognitive distortions often arise from early experiences, societal influences, or negative self-perceptions. Common cognitive distortions associated with anxiety include catastrophizing (assuming the worst-case scenario), black-and-white thinking (seeing situations as all good or all bad), and overgeneralization (making sweeping negative conclusions based on limited evidence). These distorted thought patterns reinforce feelings of fear, helplessness, and uncertainty, fueling the cycle of anxiety.
So, how do we recover from this beyond short-term coping interventions?
Therapy is the most crucial and evidence-based way in which we can work through and recover from trauma and anxiety. However, working through our anxiety and our trauma is no easy task. The best therapists are trained to understand how day-to-day life stressors and relational dynamics impact our brains and, better yet, how to heal the brain. If any of this resonates with you, I highly recommend you find a skilled therapist to help you work through these things. But for now, keep reading.
Therapy encompasses a wide array of approaches, each with its unique framework and techniques. However, not all treatment approaches are “trauma-informed.” In my experience, trauma-informed therapeutic modalities share a common goal: to facilitate healing and growth by delving deep into the emotional landscape of individuals struggling with anxiety.
Central to many of these therapeutic approaches is the belief in each individual's inherent capacity for healing. Rather than viewing anxiety as a fixed and immutable condition, these modalities recognize that individuals possess the resilience and inner resources necessary for transformation. By creating a supportive and nonjudgmental therapeutic environment, therapists empower clients to explore the underlying emotional dynamics that contribute to anxiety. One core principle shared by many therapeutic modalities is experiential processing. Rather than solely relying on cognitive insight, these approaches emphasize the importance of accessing and processing emotions at a visceral level.
Addressing anxiety requires a comprehensive understanding of its roots, including the role of trauma, attachment wounds, and maladaptive thought patterns. Both "Big T" and "Little T" traumas can have profound effects on mental health, altering brain structure and perpetuating anxiety cycles. Attachment wounds and cognitive distortions further contribute to this complex interplay. Therapy emerges as a crucial avenue for recovery, offering trauma-informed approaches that acknowledge individuals' innate capacity for healing. By creating a safe space for emotional exploration and employing experiential processing techniques, therapy paves the way for lasting transformation and reclaiming inner peace amidst life's challenges. If you resonate with these insights, seeking the guidance of a skilled therapist can be a pivotal step toward healing and growth.
Look no further. Schedule a FREE phone consultation today, or email me at jaridhill@hillside-counseling.com to start your healing journey.
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