Blog #1 Chapters 1 & 2

 Beginning in Chapter 1, Van Der Kolk talks about how he met a Vietnam Veteran who was experiencing intense emotions related to his inability to cope from his time in Vietnam. Van Der Kolk eventually set up a group of Veterans and was able to determine that the Veterans were able to seek some relief by sharing their experiences during the war. Van Der Kolk outlined how trauma changes people's perceptions and imaginations. I have no experience in working with people in a group setting. Around my area, to my knowledge there are no group therapies unless it is associated with substance abuse treatment. That is not considered trauma therapy, but I'm sure life experiences are discussed in the group setting. I like how Van Der Kolk was able to make connections with people regarding trauma. They all shared some symptoms of PTSD and he understood that. It solidifies the predictions I can make in my own job when I see people who have gone through the same type of trauma. It made me start to think, that I would like to participate in trauma groups. This would allow me to have a better grasp at learning about trauma and how to apply concepts in practice. 

In Chapter 2, Van Der Kolk talks about his experience with psychotropic medications and how they seemed to help alieviate symptoms of people he was working with. He made a great observation that we can't just treat the mind with medications, but we must attempt to make the necessary changes with the brain in order for the symptoms people experience are managed or subsided. I think that may be true, but sometimes medication is necessary for people to get into a mind set where they are able to think clearer in order to address whatever issues that they are dealing with. 

So far, I've enjoyed Van Der Kolk's book. I like how he is able to talk about the changes that he has seen in his experience. It helps me put into perspective how far we have come. I have noticed in my work that people don't recognize that trauma has a debilitating effect on someone. I'm talking about the people who are involved in families' lives. This could be informal supports, school, church, etc. Because people who don't understand how trauma has impacted a family, there can be negative connotations related to that family. For instance, oh that mom can't get her children to school. Well, we have to look at the underlying issues with that mom. What is holding her back, when we know she has the ability to get her children to school on time. 

I also enjoyed reading about the Veteran who was suffering from PTSD. My husband is a Marine Veteran and was overseas when Operation Iraqi Freedom first started. He came back normal. It makes me wonder what level, kind of trauma does a person need to experience in order for symptoms to appear?

I have no thoughts on how this impacts my spiritual being. I'm not religious or spiritual. It has no impact or role in my life. 

Comments

  1. Tanya TrimbleJanuary 24, 2021 at 2:43 PM

    I like how you hit on the part about how others do not always recognize the trauma, I wrote about this as well in my blog. It is hard to move pass the surface sometimes and see what else this person may be facing and need to make it through some of the simple tasks that come so easy for others.

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  2. Abby SmithJanuary 25, 2021 at 11:26 AM

    I'm always so surprised as to how people are often blinded to only see what in right in front of them without even considering what is going into that present behavior. So crucial for people who do understand what trauma informed care is to speak out at whatever agency, organization, or job they are at. Also, thanks for bringing up a personal example for your husband. That is a good question. I had many similar questions that I had to chalk up to that fact that trauma is so subjective!

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  3. Tara BoerJanuary 25, 2021 at 12:55 PM

    In the last few months I have been thinking about the need for trauma groups for people--if we think about the brain and body's response to trauma, these groups could potentially address the emotional and relational deficits we see in many trauma survivors. Being truly known and understood is fundamental in trauma recovery. There is some research on resilience and "post traumatic growth" that we will discuss in a later module. Trauma has a lot to do with perceptions--so if you're husband was able to perceive the experience has "being over" and use his neo cortex to categorize space and time (assuming he did experience traumatic things), he may have a higher level of adaptive behavior/resilience. There is a military term I've also been reading about called "moral injury" which has to do with veterans having to carry out missions that harm innocent civilians. I'm glad your wheels are turning :)

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  4. Mariah LaughlinJanuary 25, 2021 at 7:30 PM

    Nari, I really enjoyed reading your blog and some of the personal connections you were able to pull from it. I think you make a great point about the lack of group therapy options there are for people with experience trauma. This reminded me off our grief class and how successful those groups can be when relating to others who have experience such a great loss. I think this can even be seen in Van Der Kolk's example of the veterans who didn't want to talk about their trauma, but as soon as one began to open up, they all began to share. I also appreciate your connection to a mom being unable to get her children to school- so much can be happening behind closed doors and/or inside the body and brain. Such an important reminded to treat everyone with kindness.

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