Trauma survivors may struggle with emotional regulation from "summary" of The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel A. Van der Kolk
When people have experienced trauma, their ability to regulate emotions can be severely disrupted. This can manifest in a variety of ways, from intense outbursts of anger or sadness to feeling emotionally numb and disconnected. Trauma survivors often struggle to manage their emotions in a healthy and balanced way, which can lead to difficulties in their relationships and daily functioning. One reason for this difficulty in emotional regulation is the impact that trauma has on the brain. When a person is exposed to a traumatic event, their brain's stress response system becomes dysregulated. This can result in an overactive amygdala, the part of the brain responsible for processing emotions, leading to heightened emotional reactivity. At the same time, the prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for regulating emotions, may become less active, making it harder for the individual to control their emotional responses. In addition to these neurological changes, trauma survivors may also struggle with a heightened sense of vigilance and hypervigilance. This constant state of alertness can be exhausting and can make it difficult for individuals to relax and calm their minds. As a result, their emotions may feel overwhelming and uncontrollable, further exacerbating their difficulties with emotional regulation. Furthermore, trauma survivors may have learned maladaptive coping mechanisms in response to their traumatic experiences. These coping strategies, such as dissociation or avoidance, may have helped the individual survive the trauma initially, but can become harmful in the long run. Instead of processing their emotions in a healthy way, trauma survivors may resort to numbing or distracting themselves, leading to further difficulties in emotional regulation.- The struggle with emotional regulation is a common and understandable consequence of experiencing trauma. It is important for trauma survivors to seek support and therapy to learn healthier coping mechanisms and to begin the healing process. By addressing the underlying causes of their emotional dysregulation, individuals can start to regain control over their emotions and lead more fulfilling lives.
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