Status Updates From La transformación del legad...

When we’re in danger the body gets adrenaline rush, preparing for action and quick response, feeling unsafe, impulsive, hyper vigilance, defensiveness. Then freeze response kicks in when it’s not safe to fight or run away from the situation- exhaustion, no feelings, no energy, not present, ashamed, unable to think and say no.

Saying This is just a memory calms down the reptilian brain response when it thinks your in danger.
Naming the emotions helps limbic system calm down and think you’re safe.
Observing that you’re triggered and this is a flashback from the past helps thinking brain to calm down.

Using list of triggers then make a plan for similar situations in the future.

Things that can trigger: being told no, not being understood, waiting in line, disappointment, being ignored or not noticed, not being believed or taken seriously. Some can be paradoxical- being alone and being with people. Notice patterns, even when you don’t know why you may understand your story. Avoid connecting trigger to a specific event in life. Feeling memory may be the memory of many events not one.

You may doubt yourself as you don’t remember an event, so think you made it up or you’re wrong or it isn’t true cuz you would remember it more clearly if it happened. At those times remind yourself there’s more to recalling than a story or images.
Keep a list of events and people who trigger you. Write what thoughts, feelings and emotions you had.

Trauma is remembered somatically and emotionally, not by thinking. I may not remember, but feel shame, tremble, tightness, afraid, startle suddenly, self-hatred.It may be confusing and overwhelming. Frontal lobes shuts down and we feel emotions and impulses instead of recalling events. Limbic system increases activity of amygdala saying you’re in danger. Brainstem increases heart rate stops breathing or quickens it

MacLean’s brain model talks about the reptilian brain controlling basic living functions/ sleep breathing eating and nervous system, automatic and instinctive. The mammalian brain nonverbal, emotional, gut feeling, social development, traumatic memories- develops between age 11-25, decision based on emotions not reason. The thinking brain reasoning, problem solving, memories for events and facts.