The Healing of Healers. Challenges to overcome the effects of stress, trauma and vicarious traumatisation

Transcription

1 The Healing of Healers Challenges to overcome the effects of stress, trauma and vicarious traumatisation

2 The effects of Stress and Trauma is one of the most significant health problems in the US. Up to 80% of physical illness is related to stress, life's experiences, overwhelming events Paul Boyle, Director of Holistic Trauma Healing, Nairobi If unrecognized or undervalued it will undermine all attempts to heal individuals, communities and society at large. Challenges of a culture that pops a pill instead of processes and deals with the

3 The first five years after Post Conflict war in Iraq, Afghanistan If there is no longer an enemy The impact of the trauma must be displaced on someone, somewhere if not healed The displacement will go back to the culture Spouse Child Addictions: alcohol, drug, sex abuse,

4 Healing Process You need to Name the effects of the trauma Claim it Tame it

5 If you don t deal with trauma, trauma will deal with you. If you don t manage it, it will manage you. I f you don t control it, it will control you If you don t sort it out, it will sort you out.

6 Trauma doesn t go away like stress It remembers itself somewhere in our system, in our minds, bodies and souls. It affects our thoughts, feelings and relationships. Often in the place that wants to be gratified which promotes self medication and in turn addictions All human beings seek happiness however when stressed/traumatised we tend to seek and gain only pleasure that does not

7 There is always a trigger Something that will evoke a memory Smell, sounds, sights, dates, familiar people, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. The memory remains stored in the brain and comes alive as if it is happening all over again and again.

8 Terms Stress Stretches and Strains our ability to cope Internal/external events push us to our limits Tension Diminishing coping skills We feel pressure, confined focus, panic Response is different according to the situation as well as the persons previous

9 Trauma Holistic it effects the mind, body & soul It alters emotions, behaviour, attitudes Effect: frozen, numb, helpless, emotionally detached Brain can t cope so it turns off or slows down and goes into emergency response

10 Indicators of Stress & Trauma Stress Anger Sadness Fear Distrust Feeling Controlled Helpless Anxious Trauma Violence & Rage Depression Terror Paranoia Feeling Manipulated Hopeless Threatened Can t control emotions

11 One traumatized person can traumatize 100 people Experience of stress is momentary Post Trauma Stress Disorder A way of life Alters the Ego Negative Life change Can create permanent emotional, physical and mental disability.

12 Two emergency responses to trauma: Hyper-Arousal or Dissociation Fight or flight Fear Terror Adrenal System increases Heart/Blood pressure system increase Serotonin decreases Cognitive Process hyper Respiration increases Adult male response aggression Potential homicide

13 Dissociation Defeat surrender Numbing dissociation Freezing feelings Compliant Fainting Heart Rate decreases Sensory alterations Muscles go numb Passive Potential suicide

14 Possible Responses Denial Trauma remains unconscious and is subject to triggers where the trauma is stored the place where the brain wants stimulations Drugs, Sex, Violence Reward > addictions Healing Begins by reflecting on the symptoms and the traumatic event A supportive environment that takes serious the reality of trauma Prayer Processing Forgiving the past

15 Process of Trauma (PTSD) 35% of symptoms on regular basis indicates presence of Trauma Shock Numbness Denial/Disconnected Reoccurring anxiety Nightmares Changes in appetite Trouble sleeping Shame/Guilt Being on edge Despair/Hopeless Easily startled Low energy/depressing Constantly busy Memory Problems Overly Alert/Agitated Unable to focus Resentful Difficulty making decisions Spontaneous crying Over-protective of loved ones

16 Healing Process You need to Name the symptoms of trauma Claim them Tame them

17 Recommendation Goal: For therapists, police, medical staff, clergy who are exposed to vicarious or direct trauma attend a full 5 day workshop The affected and those infected by stress and trauma get one on one support to overcome and process the symptoms of the stress or trauma Contact: p.boyle@usa.net