3.4 Early Days Rerelease: Prolonged Freeze States
This podcast episode explores the concept of prolonged freeze states in complex trauma. The host discusses the physiological and psychological aspects of freeze responses, drawing from both personal experiences and scientific research. A study on rats is examined to understand the relationship between complex trauma and prolonged freeze behaviors. The episode highlights how freeze states can impact daily life and recovery for trauma survivors, emphasizing the need for further research and understanding in this area.
✭ 3.3 Early Days Rerelease: Emotional Dissociation (AKA Numbing)
This podcast episode explores emotional dissociation in the context of complex trauma. The host discusses the definition and signs of emotional detachment, drawing from both research and personal experiences. The episode delves into the origins of dissociation as a coping mechanism, its long-term effects, and the challenges of reintegrating emotions after prolonged numbness. The host shares their journey of navigating emotional extremes and offers insights into recognizing and addressing dissociative patterns in trauma recovery.
Mental Health In The Workplace: ACEs Role
Anyone else have trouble with work stress and triggering work environments (physical and social)? Holler. It’s been just over 3 months since I quit my super triggering and toxic job… and holy shit, I feel so much better NOT reporting in for the daily...
Research: Freeze States
A lot of us describe getting “stuck” in a Freeze state following a triggering event or new trauma in our lives. I think most of us have heard plenty about Fight/Flight responses in regard to Trauma and PTSD. However, Freeze and Fawn responses are relatively new in our...
✭✭ 3.2 Early Days Rerelease: ACEs and Work Environments
This podcast episode explores the impact of childhood trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) on workplace performance and mental health. The host discusses common challenges faced by trauma survivors in toxic work environments, including unpredictability, poor communication, and social dynamics. Personal experiences and research findings are shared to illustrate how complex trauma can affect job performance and overall well-being. The episode also touches on potential strategies for managing mental health at work and the benefits of independent contracting for trauma survivors.
3.1 Bonus | First Ever Ask Me Anything
Holler, look who isn’t spewing out 50 minutes of research and writing today! Instead, I’m addressing the AMA questions from the TMFR Patreon and sharing the answers with everyone. What’s my number one recovery tool, why did this project get started,...
Relational “Deactivation” (AKA bitch, you so hot and cold)
I’ve been back at trauma reading and learning lately; a side-effect of preparing to go back to school AND having open access to scientific literature through the school’s online library. It feels like taking a step back into my old life. I might as well...
3.0 Imposter Syndrome: Intro to Season Three
Ever get that voice in your head whispering sour nothings about your shortcomings and the false perceptions of others? Hey, me too. Annnd that’s especially true when I try to meld this CPTSD support project with my actual schooling in ABA. This week,...
✭✭ 2.17 Early Days Rerelease: Deactivation, hot & cold relationships explained
This podcast episode explores the concept of relational deactivation in complex trauma survivors. The host discusses how this defense mechanism develops from childhood experiences of rejection and neglect, leading to challenges in adult relationships. Personal anecdotes illustrate the pattern of intense attachment followed by sudden detachment. The episode provides insight into why trauma survivors may struggle with maintaining consistent relationships and offers a framework for understanding these behaviors as protective responses rather than character flaws.
✭✭✭ Early Days Rerelease: 2.16 Shame and C-PTSD
This podcast episode explores the concept of shame in complex trauma, differentiating it from guilt and examining its impact on relationships and mental health. The host discusses shame’s physiological effects, coping strategies, and its role in trauma treatment. Drawing from personal experiences and research, the episode highlights the importance of addressing shame in trauma recovery and offers insights into recognizing and managing shame responses.
C-PTSD and physical symptoms
Photocredit @ Tia Trauma is a funny thing, huh? You’re keeping pace, holding a job, forging your way through a “normal” life, maybe even leading an “impressive” one… and then, things start going haywire. Maybe it starts with some increased anxiety… depressive spells...
2.15 “Revert to Draft” | Two months in my childhood home
August 15th, 2020 “You can come home,” my mom has {usually} said. “I would rather die,” I’ve always replied. So, it’s been two months of living with my mom. AKA my worst nightmare come true! Normally, I’m knee deep in suicidal...
2.14 School: Applied Behavior Analysis and Trauma Recovery
Guess who’s going back to school? Mhmm, yer girl’s getting her M.S. in ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) after years of putting off further formal education. What IS ABA, how has it helped in this ttrauma recovery journey, and how can it help other...
Getting Educational: Shame and Complex Trauma
First, a personal spiel. Then, the research. Something has been on my mind – and in my gut lately. While staying with my mom for the past two months I’ve been reintroduced to a particular creeping sensation… one that is difficult to name or describe....
The Trauma Genre; Punk rock saved my life
Ever look back at your life and think “huh, actually I guess I did alright, considering the clusterfuck?” when you’re forcing yourself to be honest? (or, let’s be real, when your therapist is telling you so.) Maybe it isn’t how you see yourself. Maybe you have a...
2.13 Early Days Rerelease: Trauma and physical manifestions
This podcast episode explores the physical manifestations of trauma and PTSD, discussing common symptoms such as triggers, panic attacks, chronic exhaustion, digestive issues, and dissociation. The host explains the physiological basis for these symptoms and offers practical advice for managing them. The episode emphasizes the importance of holistic self-care, including proper nutrition, exercise, and stress management techniques, in trauma recovery. It also highlights the potential for improvement with consistent effort and professional help.
Lessons from a Cerebellar Hypoplasia dog: Week 2
Today marks the end of week two with my buddy Archie, a cerebellar hypoplasia dog that I’ve been fostering. Nah, this has nothing to do directly with trauma… but it’s definitely a crash course in dealing with my own shit while I tackle someone...
Tia Shares her amazing art
I love getting thoughtful, sharing messages from other folks on their Trauma journey. Last night, I received a great one from a new member named Tia. Better yet – she sent ART! Check out her full Flickr profile here Here’s a quick art blurb from Tia:...
✭ 2.12 Early Trauma Coping: Punk Rock Saved My Life
This podcast episode explores the impact of punk rock on trauma recovery and personal growth. The host shares their personal journey, discussing how punk rock provided community, identity, and coping mechanisms during challenging times. The episode delves into the long-term influence of punk culture on life choices, relationships, and self-expression. It highlights the role of music and alternative communities in overcoming childhood adversity and finding a sense of belonging.
“I’m doing well… no I’m not” C-PTSD and emotional roller coasters
One of the weirdest things for me on this CPTSD journey is realizing how my emotions change with the tides. And how unaware I can be of the gravitational pull. One day I say I’m doing great, the next day it feels like the end of the world. One moment I’m happy, the...
NOTE TO SELF: Try to take care of yourself, asshole.
Another throwback post from a year or two ago! I would like to say that this has changed, but nah. That would be a motherfucking lie. To this day, I still have to leave this note-to-self on the docket. Enjoy this old, still relevant, article from an earlier iteration...
2.11 Victim or Motherfucker? Has Trauma ever “helped”?
Unpopular opinion; early trauma gave me a lot of positive personality traits… you know, along with all the terrible ones. Am I a basketcase sometimes? Sure. Am I also resilient, responsible, good at reading people, and ready for disaster? Yer motherfucking...
Lessons from 1 week as a Cerebellar Hypoplasia single dogmom
For over a year I’ve been trying to get a dog. Yes, I know, there are millions of needy dogs to choose from – what is the “trying” I speak of? How does this take a year? Well, I’m an emotional motherfucker with a heavy shame complex, back the fuck off. Believe...
Getting started with Therapy
So, your head is a fucking nightmare. You know you have anxiety and depression… there are a few other things floating around… but you haven’t gotten the answers or coping tools to make a difference in your life. I feel you. For 20-something years I didn’t see a...
2.10 Caring for everyone… but you
I’m great at taking care of everyone… but myself. Always dissociated. Always slave-driving. Always worried about everyone else. Sound right? What is this “self-care?” How does one “have fun?” Lessons from a life constructed of workaholism...