The word ‘trauma’ has become much more commonly used in the past few years. Previously, the term trauma was seen to be connected with events like wars and natural disasters. In the United Kingdom, such a word was perhaps avoided because of the famous ‘stiff upper lip’.
Added to this is the exhortation to ‘keep calm and carry on’ that we see emblazoned everywhere from tea mugs to tee-shirts. Sometimes this might be handy advice. But when it comes to trauma, there is only so much upper lip that can be stiffened.
There are millions of people across the UK who have had to contend with events that have caused distress and disturbance to their own lives and those around them. Quite often, they bear the physical marks – panic attacks, palpitations, night sweats, arguably, some auto-immune conditions and a whole raft of other symptoms.
Added to this are intrusive thoughts, flashbacks, unwanted images, feelings of guilt, isolation and overwhelm. This is the legacy of post-traumatic distress. Most of us know at least some people for whom this description fits. Maybe even ourselves.
The problem (and the solution) is that trauma is buried in the nervous system. It makes an unwelcome entrance when we get triggered. This can cause all kinds of mind-body reactions.
EMDR has grown as a therapeutic technique for processing trauma since it was first piloted in the 1980s. Any good EMDR therapist will process not just thoughts and feelings but also body sensations – pain, numbness, urges to fight, run away, freeze, etc. This is one of the most fantastic aspects of this type of therapy. It treats the whole person – mind and body.
People who have suffered for years with feelings such as numbness and physical ‘freeze’ (which can be a survival tactic) can now process out the imprint of trauma and achieve release. They can then get on with their lives.
A stiff upper lip can be useful in life. Sometimes, when someone feels ready, it can be time to process the life events that have made it necessary to stiffen up in order to survive.
— 14th June 2023