Your Trauma Response Isn't Wrong

Your trauma response is your superpower.
After going through a traumatic event, it’s normal to develop a range of responses to survive the experience.
Trauma responses are individuals’ immediate, automatic reactions when faced with a threat or danger. These responses are deeply ingrained survival mechanisms that evolved to keep us safe. They can show up in different ways, including emotional, physical, and psychological reactions. In this video, I talk about how often through facing challenges, we discover inner strengths we never knew we had. Trauma can shape us, and while it's not something anyone would wish for, finding resilience and growth from it can be incredibly powerful.
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Disclaimer: The information contained on this channel, including suggestions, ideas, techniques, and other materials, is provided only as general information, educational in nature, and is not intended as a substitute for a consultation, professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. We encourage you to consult the appropriate healthcare professional before relying on any such information.
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Content is produced by Oliver Halls (Instagram: @oliver.halls) and Jeremiah Fernandes (Instagram: @jeremiah.fernandes).

[@AlexHowardTherapy]

What did you learn to do in childhood that helped you survive that maybe has been a source of suffering in your life but can also be used for good? 👇

[@OneFleaCircus]

Growing up with learning disabilities I became very familiar with feeling uncomfortable or dumb when trying to learn things. This has been an incredible gift to my personal development journey. I don't love being miserable, but I'm very practiced in getting uncomfortable in the interest of growth.

[@susancasal1983]

Wow, I love this perspective so much. I learned to be a people pleaser, to have no personal boundaries, and to be afraid. Now that I'm getting much better at having boundaries it's helping me feel safer. I don't have to please everyone, but I am skilled at getting along with most people. I see the great benefits of that, as long as mutual boundaries are being kept.

[@AlexHowardTherapy]

So glad you see the benefits alongside doing the work 😎

[@shoshannah3230]

Caring for others and not caring for myself. I have been working on finding the balance between being caring towards others and being attuned to my own needs.

[@AlexHowardTherapy]

Well done for seeing it and doing the work 😎

[@OneFleaCircus]

I love this perspective! Rick Hanson mentioned something complimentary about the "noble pony"and "necrotic pony" going down the same path and being able to recognize the difference between the two.

[@lucidneptune]

I think it's a similar thing for me. Shapeshifting. Thank you for putting up such positive and warming videos, it really makes me feel like I should be a lot kinder to myself and not so bashing and frustrated with myself.

[@evelinel.9827]

Always seeking something outside of myself to feel ok was because I was so disregulated since childhood, but that seeking was so helpful when I came down with Fibro, CFS, etc. and lead me through my search to find Somatic Experiencing and Dr. John Sarno's work (emotional work (inner child, somatic work, parts work)) that lead me to heal these painful and debilitating conditions. I love that I no longer have to seek now!!! I am still curious, still want to grow and expand but not looking for something outside of myself to feel ok.

[@AlexHowardTherapy]

What a journey you’ve been on, well done 🙏

[@EconMBAStudent]

One of my debilitating survival modes is / was Hypervigilence. Am I safe? Reading situations aware of my vulnerabilities, and having endless disaster recovery plans, gave me some peace of mind, all while holding the appearance of all being well. Like a gazelle trying to smell like a lion. The flip side giving me the ability to be a good creative planner, thinking through and mitigating the endless scenarios and ‘gotchas’. I like setting up elegant systems and practices. All good for an IT career. I just have to keep aware of the anxiety that builds as I do this and not burn out. Retired now so, with work, can be more mindful. Thank you Alex for the work you and your clinic do and the techniques and tools you share generously.

[@laural2844]

Thank you for pointing out the positive in the negatives, I had never looked at it that way. People pleasing and emotionally caretaking my parents to keep the peace were mine, and now that I have worked through some anger and am always working on boundaries, I find that in difficult situations it helps me adjust more easily and also keep the peace until the situation is resolved. It has helped immensely to know that it's not my job and I don't have to do it to be safe, though.

[@purplerain9075]

Yes shape shifting. Extremely adaptable to any/every situation. Trustworthy. Loyal to a fault.

[@beabohemian]

Reading peoples mood/ emotions.

[@anjavlasblom8158]

Because of not being able to express anger as a child, I have always lived an adjusted life, they always call me sweet but I long to learn to express my opinion. By the way, the suppressed anger is still so strong in my body.

[@sandraaddae2779]

Fantastic and insightful question.....was achieving things....

[@louisepoulton3669]

Appreciate you sharing this.

[@maureenrowlett3923]

I really appreciate this. It truly resonates with me. Thank you!

[@AlexHowardTherapy]

Glad it was helpful 👍

[@jessicahijarunguru4117]

I like this... wish you could go deeper a bit, I escaped to a fantasy world as a child, bed time was my favorite, I felt like I was recharging and reorganize 😅

[@lilyannenbring]

I learned to be absolute silent and smidig. ( I starten talking when I was 27 years old) alternativ än emotional breakdown.

[@katherinemnusa]

I need help…my family is uneducated mental health people who think they know the answers, and say things that are SO painful! Even name calling….i really need positive people in my life.

[@EconMBAStudent]

Recognizing that is a real positive. I wish you well as you look for healthy relationships. You deserve them, we all need them.

[@riorisa6613]

As a child and adult till her death I used to walk on eggshells around my mother. Now I can read people very easily. Funnily enough never used that skill of mine. It felt dishonest somehow....

[@KoenVandevelde]

Less control in general would improve my life significantly...

[@user-yu7ud9yb2l]

I learnt to be independent and raise myself..now I'm very strong and resilient...

[@AlexHowardTherapy]

Great quality to have 😎

[@katherinemnusa]

Being invisible

[@proudchristian77]

U run upstairs & hide , stay there , u don't hide from thugs , they find u if u a little kid, how they get hurt , 💝 foster homes happened !

[@AlexHowardTherapy]

👍