Trauma and the Incredible Hulk

In this video, I talk about my favorite metaphor for trauma that I use with nearly all of my trauma patients during therapy. It's a great way to depersonalize trauma reactions and make sense of them in a way that doesn't leave a person feeling too bad about why they react the way they do and it definitely gives clues about how to control it.

[@DearProfessorRF]

Amazing presentation. Now I understand why I always empathized with Dr. Banner since I watched this series in my childhood. The symbolism of him walking away, alone under the tune of a melancholic tune is on the mark.

[@hakunamatata1352]

I wish this was obligatory to watch and integrated in the education of anyone planning to work with children.

[@JacobHamPhD]

Please share it!

[@jcamaya1395]

This is a great video. I got back into reading comics as an adult. I've had a lot of trauma and stress in my life and always found the hulk so relateable. I started therapy a few years back, and my therapist explained the similaries to me. He's a great character

[@kobi2024]

I have Borderline Personality Disorder and to me when I encounter a trigger, if it’s being confronted I will become a different raging, scary person and the deeper I go into this state of mind I’ll have less capacity of understanding and close to non self control over myself, when it is seriously bad I will also not remember what I did during this state. It also comes from the “I will never let it happen again” place.

[@jacquelinesmith2994]

Specially good > > sympathetic nervous system explanation, how a "calm down corner" is not just a five min thing, it may take longer, it may take as long as it needs in order for the child to stay calm and truly grounded. Thanks for the creative videos.

[@JacobHamPhD]

Yeah, it takes me at least an hour to calm down. My wife would say even longer than that.

[@brownmartha01]

Jacob - the more I teach about trauma and trauma informed practices, the more I incorporate your videos. They are super. People understand and relate. I can't thank you enough for providing these valuable resources.

[@JacobHamPhD]

Thanks for sharing them!!

[@norasherron635]

Dr. Hamm, I just found all your great videos after your post with Jennifer Foo and her new book which I can’t wait to read! I myself have CPTSD & found the best therapist a few yrs ago to finally begin therapy when I realized I was no longer “managing it” per se & it completely took over. I’d been to a few therapists on & off over the yrs but since I don’t have many memories from growing up and it was hard to open up anyway we’d focus on the current crisis. None of them mentioned dissociative amnesia or complex PTSD until my current therapist; so I grateful I hit the jackpot. To get to this video specifically though, I wanted to add that I 100% agree on your theory that schools should use a “cool down” room when children become angry. My son is on the spectrum (in prior DSM Asperger’s) and it is sickening to read about the injuries and deaths around the U.S. of ASD children after being restrained. These children are the last ines to use force as an alternative for calming tantrums/violent behavior; it escalates them every time. Unfortunately people doing the restraining don’t follow their training and/or loose the temper when they can’t control them & they end up using any force possible before realizing it. It’s very sad to read all the reports from investigators done because of tragedies. I found what descalated my son when I saw the “hulk green eyes” coming was using 1-2-3 Magic. Worked like a charm!

[@michaelreeves6200]

This video is superb - so clear and direct - excellent metaphor - very accessible to all - as is the Learning/ survival brain video - I use both in all trainings I do with school staff/ others in UK (mental health work). Thank you!

[@JacobHamPhD]

Thank you so much for letting me know that you use it for your trainings.

[@ketsiapaul1400]

Great video! I used this video as well as the other video about the learning brain vs survival brain to talk to teachers about different ways we can teach and/or respond to our students with trauma. They responded well to it.

[@JacobHamPhD]

thank you for letting me know this. It's very reinforcing to know that the video is making a difference.

[@TheOdelld]

I use this one too and the one on learning and survival - thank you

[@danninmatthews5640]

Not to mention, Hulk is Banner's hatred of himself.

[@pyroschick]

This is an awesome way to help others make the connection of trauma and “behavior”. I’m an elementary school counselor and can think of multiple students right away who can relate to Bruce Banner/Hulk. I would love to use this video/analogy in a future training with teachers and school support staff. Thank you!

[@JacobHamPhD]

You're welcome!

[@collinwimbish4516]

this was amazing, could you do some more video's about the emotional trauma of superheroes/villains

[@JacobHamPhD]

I'll think about it, but I'm no real expert in the superhero/villain stuff. I did once hear someone talk about why different age groups are drawn to different superheroes, maybe one day, when I can find the time, I'll share what I learned... Thanks for the request

[@sundesertmoon]

Thank you, Dr. Ham. This Hulk reference has helped me better understand myself, and with more compassion. Thank you.

[@truelightseeker]

I have seen this for the first time a few years ago. But only now that I focus on what activates my trauma do I really understand why it is important to "never let the Hulk come out in the first place". I tried to contain the hulk after he came out, but by then it's too late. Now I gotta learn how to keep him inside.

[@carolgilmour3497]

This is such a valuable resource. Thank you ❤

[@user-hp1rp8xn1r]

Love this. I think helping the hulk feel safe is also something we can do.

[@AddMoreQuarters]

I would love to see an even more in depth vid on this. Terrific work. Love it.

[@RobiticDuck]

Adding this to my Hulk playlist!

[@teryntatro]

This was a great video. I have found animals to be a great help to my own hulk to calm him down. They help him remember that he is lovable and loving.

[@JacobHamPhD]

that's great. Animals, particularly our mammalian companions, are wonderful and wise teachers and friends.

[@Hope-rd8zg]

Love this. Thank you so much.

[@kattgrothouse6421]

Thank you so much! I always thought of my "hulk" student as a little grenade, with the pin pulled, waiting to explode at the hint of a problem. Once he exploded, there was no reverse, only letting it all out. About an hour later, he would be my smiling and joyful student.

[@JacobHamPhD]

yeah, exactly.

[@suebadeau6726]

Love this metaphor Jacob!

[@JacobHamPhD]

thanks sue!

[@latham40]

Great video

[@juliepearce4153]

Absolutely brilliant

[@allensheppard3691]

Well said.

[@earthminus10]

Brilliant 🌎✌

[@dr.markmcnear2380]

Thank you ... this is excellent.

[@JacobHamPhD]

You're very welcome!

[@earthminus10]

I watched this again not knowing I watched it 9 months ago. It seems brand new. That must say something about my progress huh. I'm getting better. I am living in my survival brain and can't get out

[@JacobHamPhD]

I'm always revisiting the same ideas in my life too. Life's lessons are learned through iteration.

[@litiangparra6799]

This was me when i was young, my Nick name was hulk, cause I would get so angry and just break everything, and I would yell at people, I went to anger management to help me, I still get that angry but I just mask it behind a blank face

[@andredantu8526]

i loved this thank you. I work for a church and we have many children with trauma in their lives and your videos have really helped me to cross over and see things from their point of view. do you mind if i show these to my leadership team so we can have a better understanding of trauma and how to respond to the actions that arise out of it? We often theme our kids ministry around superheros as children can relate to this. in appreciation Andre'

[@JacobHamPhD]

Andre Dantu Are you kidding me? The entire point of these videos is to help improve the lives of people with trauma. You sharing this video would make the whole endeavor worthwhile! Please, please share! And, tell me how it goes and whether people have questions and need a follow up video.

[@andredantu8526]

Thanks Jacob. I will let you know how it goes. I have already forwarded to a number of key people. thank you

[@JollyMidnight]

:----- DD Me ... Relate ! Have learned how to calm down more already though ... Sometimes I literally am thinking ... Should I, or maybe not so smart ... When feeling the anger/reaction coming Haha ! Great video, interesting

[@michellehill5116]

Awesome!

[@OkeyChristian]

This presentation is so on point with our students at my school. How can teachers and educators work with these kids?

[@user-gy7bg1rv6o]

How long does it take for a person with anger issues in general to become a calmer person and stop the tantrums from coming on? I've been working on myself. But I still react to some triggers strongly. Can you ever get completely rid of tantrums?

[@JacobHamPhD]

That's a tough question. Obviously it depends on the person but it's great to hear that you are working on it. I think it's a lifelong process. I've seen some people do amazing things through therapy and others for whom the struggle waxes and wanes. The truth is the triggers never go away and we just get better at telling ourselves that the trigger doesn't always signify threat. I'll make a video explaining this further when I get a chance.

[@user-gy7bg1rv6o]

Jacob Ham Lifelong progress. Thought so. Thank you so much for your great videos. Doing an amazing job. All the best!

[@Avboyyy]

I hate what the MCU did to him. They completely disrespected his character and his legacy. Truly breaks my heart

[@Dognutt69]

For real, I hope they can go back to 2012 Hulk

[@milomazli]

I loved this video too!

[@RaisingMyWildflowers]

This is so odd. When I was a preschool age child, the Hulk was my imaginary friend - although he was small, lived in my pocket and needed me to care for him. I was abused severely growing up - but I wasn't a ragey kid - quite the opposite.

[@elsemarievanderwalt5499]

Thank you, this is a wonderfully relatable way to describe what happens when the survival response activates. Working with an imbalanced autonomic nervous system cannot happen rationally. A technique such as TRE® (Tension and Trauma Release Exercises of Dr David Berceli) to somatically release the tension from the muscles and nervous system assists in discharging the response. It also heightens awareness of our own internal states as the connection between body and mind is restored.

[@HeatherEvenson]

I've tried explaining what's happening to me using this exact metaphor, but I never knew how accurate it really was. I've only just discovered ACEs and what is known about developmental trauma, which I noticed you touched on for just a second. Is treatment different for PTSD vs Developmental Trauma? Does the DT need to be addressed prior to tackling the traumatic events that occurred later in life (and that I remember)? Thank you so much for making this video...

[@JacobHamPhD]

Hi Heather, yes the treatments are different. and yes, your instincts are right again, I agree that the DTD probably needs to be treated before the PTSD, especially because DTD leads to self-hatred, self-sabotage and mistrust that can interfere with treatment.

[@HeatherEvenson]

Jacob Ham Ah yes...you hit the nail on the head. I do have trust issues with therapists and find it impossible to ever relax enough to not just perform and get through it. As I’m sure you understand, I’ve also only had access to low-income mental health care. My experiences trying to get decent, consistent care haven’t gone well in the past. This helps, though. Just to know someone out there actually understands what I’m trying to live with. Do you have any tips for those of us trying to heal who literally can’t afford therapy? In the meantime, I’ll keep searching for videos like this and trying new things as much as I can. :) Thank you for replying!

[@RandomNullpointer]

Thank you, Jacob. It is a kinda much harder to deal with an adult hulk that started practising in childhood. Do you have some recommendations or topics to read for solving this issue?

[@JacobHamPhD]

Ugh, i wish i did. Subscribe to my blog as well as this channel. Look at the books i recommend on my website (drjacobham.com/book-recommendations). There are many roads to Rome...

[@keriannesevery8752]

I’m doing a presentation about trauma informed classrooms. Is it OK to use this video in my presentation?

[@sopranobyproxy]

I am a speech pathology professor creating a counseling course for pre- and post-professional speech pathologists. I'm using trauma-informed care principles to form the theoretical framework for this course. May I use your videos to illustrate concepts related to trauma and trauma-informed care?

[@beatsg]

He's emphatically encouraged others in the comments to use this video in their work! I also really recommend his interview he had recently with Forrest Hanson, so healing, I felt so seen

[@brenna2972]

What if you Hulk out as an adult? (It sucks btw but seems linked to my ADHD). Any suggestions?

[@fionacrowe9216]

This is so cool, my son find the hulk too scary though... I might try anyway.

[@JacobHamPhD]

good luck

[@ccl7983]

Split Personality Disorder: Strange Case of Dr Banner and Mr Hulk Strange Case Of Dr Jeklly and Mr Hyde

[@rachellackey1119]

What do you do if you have spent countless hours and many different therapists trying to help the child access these skills before they hulk out and they still do not do it and now you are dealing with her threatening to murder members of the family? Will she ever access her skills or will she kill someone? That is the game we now play.

[@qkranarchist3015]

Dr. Ham have you heard Johnny Cash's song "The Beast in Me"? It's another aspect of the Hulk story. It's beautiful to have artists speaking these experiences that so many of us know: kzbin.info/www/bejne/emaqYmN8prWFf8k

[@JacobHamPhD]

beautiful, thank you for sharing this.