"Our bodies don't run from danger because
we're afraid - rather, we're afraid because our bodies run."
- William James 1884.
Dr Teoh covered comprehensively the DSM IV & V definitions of Trauma and highlighted their deficiency when dealing with clients symptoms who present with Complex Trauma issues as a result of Childhood Trauma. He presented statistics from the Adverse Childhood experience study, and linked it to Dr Bessel Van Der Kolk's proposed Developmental Trauma Disorder diagnostic criteria, making the point that Developmental Trauma is still very prevalent in families today.
I had the pleasure to then link SPP's treatment model , and how we have been incorporating the Body Focused Treatment modalities of Pat Ogden, Peter Levine, Bessel Van Der Kolk, Dr Allan Schore and Dr Stephen Porges and how they have been very complimentary to Pia Mellody model of developmental immaturity that we have been working form at South Pacific Private.
For many years we have addressed the two recoveries that are suggested by Pia Mellody at the Meadows Arizona at SPP. Firstly, the recovery from our Secondary Symptoms , especially the Addiction Issues, Mental Health Issues and Physical illness. The the second recovery is from our history. The Developmental Trauma that has left a lasting affect predisposing us towards the secondary symptoms. For recovery to take place we need to work on both fronts. Fortunately this day and age there are more resources than before to seek support for addiction and mental health issues, but the recovery from our history, and the immaturity it leaves us to live in gets largely overlooked. Leaving clients in states of Negative Control issues, Resentment and Rage issues, Spirituality issues, Enmeshment and Avoidance issues, deep problems with dishonesty, for example not being able to truly share their reality with others with out feeling any Toxic Shame. All this protected by defense mechanisms that initially saved us at the time of the trauma, but leaving us in our adult life disconnected from our viscera, in a way inhibits any connection with self and others. Also leaving us with regulation issues that promote the trigger a pathological relationship with mood altering substances or behaviors.
Fortunately treatment for both is available at a level that we now have evidence leads to change in the brain in regards to neuroplasticity and the malleability of the existing structure. Extraordinary.
It does not mean that it is easy. As a survivor myself I was encouraged reading Pete Walkers book "Complex PTSD, from Surviving to Thriving". I resonated with his shared experience. For many years I have used walking and stretching to get me in touch with the Body that I disconnected from in childhood due to the Toxic Shame and visceral discomfort I felt being connected to the stress when I felt triggered. It has always felt better when I was finished, but the act of doing it always took commitment. I use to think it was case I was unmotivated or lazy.
It was pointed out to me by a mentor that I was the most unlaziest person they had ever met, and they suggested it was fear and shame as I was connected to myself. They were right.
These days when I am travelling well, I do it, feel better after it and see it and mindfulness as essentials to my well being and CPTSD recovery, and part of my 11th Step practice that is my insurance policy against relapsing. Pia Mellody quoted the phrase that in recovery we are " Trudging the road to our happy destiny". That is an apt saying, however words will never encapsulate the reality of the complex difficultly of trauma recovery. "John Bradshaw stated that when we experienced the Toxic Shame core firing in an attack , that it was the "Intolerable experience of being". If you let that statement wash through you, examine it at depth, that comes closer.
In we attempt the two recoveries, it will get worse before it gets better, but it will get better, in most cases better than you could ever know.
