I first learned about the idea of traumatic memories being challenging to explain with words concerning young children. If we experience trauma at a young age (before we learn to talk), describing the experience with words is very difficult. I didn’t realize that no matter what age trauma occurs, it is difficult to describe with words because the memory is more of a feeling.
No wonder we struggle to explain how it feels. The words simply aren’t there.
Yep, true.
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Very informative. Thank you.
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Reading the book Sybil by Flora Rheta Schreiber was my first experience with this.
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Helpful. Thanks for posting.
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Good post. Are you familiar with NICABM? They have a course on this very topic.
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I was not familiar with NICABM but I visited the website after reading your comment. Thank you for the information.
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You’re welcome. I’ve gone through one of their sessions but mostly I just check out their blog. Did you see they reference van der Kolk?
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I ran a search for him on the site and there are several references including one to an unabridged version of The Body Keeps the Score, that you recommended to me some time ago. I’ll need to spend some time with this resource. Thanks again for directing me to this information.
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Very true much of what we hold within our body is energy. Trauma creates shock scars within our energetic body so there are no words just feelings. Though the feelings and trauma can take form.
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Very interesting
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Thanks!
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I’ve tried so many times to recount traumatic events to therapists, and to friends, and just ended up saying “I don’t have the words” then sitting there a crying anxious mess. It’s nice to know there’s some science behind it, thanks.
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Very helpful. It always helps to know that those who go through trauma are not alone.
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Yes, sharing common experiences is helpful.
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Exactly. I have such a hard time getting words out. I try so hard but they don’t come. And I sit and wonder why…I feel crazy when this happens. Thank you for sharing this.
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I think that’s why many people turn to art to express emotion, particularly visual art. It requires no words.
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I agree wholeheartedly with this, thank you for sharing.
I have just begun my blog (complete newbie) as a way to understand my trauma and place it into a healthier perspective. I don’t have the words to express the trauma itself so am sharing my experiences in the hopes that I can take their traumatic power over me to a calm and more peaceful place… time will tell xxx
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I completely agree. I feel that its the fact the our subconscious just does so much that’s beyond our control. We feel things before we can process why or where the feeling is coming from
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