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The Healing of Healers

The Healing of Healers. Challenges to overcome the effects of stress, trauma and vicarious traumatization. Stress and Trauma are a significant health problem in the US.

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The Healing of Healers

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  1. The Healing of Healers Challenges to overcome the effects of stress, trauma and vicarious traumatization

  2. Stress and Trauma are a significant health problem in the US. • Up to 80% of physical illness is related to stress, life's experiences, overwhelming events – Paul Boyle, Director of Holistic Trauma Healing, Nairobi • If unrecognized or undervalued it will undermine all attempts to heal individuals, communities and society at large. • Often, we treat the symptom, pop a pill, instead of dealing with the source • We must do both

  3. The first five years after Post Conflict – war in Iraq, Afghanistan • If there is no longer an enemy the impact of the trauma must be displaced – on someone, somewhere, somehow • The displacement will go back to the culture • Spouse • Child • Addictions: alcohol, drug, sex abuse, homicide, suicide

  4. Healing Process How do we heal the effects of stress and trauma? • Name It • Claim It • Tame It

  5. If you don’t deal with trauma … trauma will deal with you. If you don’t manage it … it will manage you. If you don’t control it … it will control you If you don’t sort it out … it will sort you out

  6. Trauma doesn’t go away like stress • It remembers itself somewhere in our system, in our minds, bodies and souls. • It affects our thoughts, feelings and relationships. • Often in the place that wants to be gratified which promotes self medication and in turn addictions • All human beings seek happiness however when stressed/traumatised we tend to seek and gain only pleasure that does not fulfil.

  7. There is always a trigger • Something that will evoke a memory • Smell, sounds, sights, dates, familiar people, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts. • The memory remains stored in the brain and comes alive as if it is happening all over again and again.

  8. Indicators of Stress & Trauma StressTraumaSevere Trauma Anger Rage Homicide Sadness Depression Suicide Fear Terror Genocide Distrust Paranoia Serious Mental Illness Controlled Manipulated Abused Helpless Hopeless Useless

  9. One traumatized person can traumatize 100 people • Stress is momentary, whereas Trauma • Is a way of life • Alters the Ego • Causes a Negative Life change • Can create permanent emotional, physical and mental disability. • Can Lead to PTSD

  10. Two Emergency Responses to Trauma • Hyper-Arousal = Fight or Flight • Dissociation = Freeze

  11. Hyper-Arousal/Fight or Flight • Fear – Terror • Adrenal System increases • Heart/Blood pressure system increase • Serotonin decreases • Cognitive Process hyper • Respiration increases • Adult male response – aggression • Potential homicide

  12. Dissociation/Freeze • Defeat – surrender • Numbing – dissociation • Freezing feelings – Compliant • Fainting • Heart Rate decreases • Sensory alterations • Muscles go numb • Passive • Potential suicide

  13. Possible Responses Denial • Trauma remains unconscious and is subject to triggers where the trauma is stored – the place where the brain wants stimulations • Drugs, Sex, Violence • Reward > addictions Healing • Begins by reflecting on the symptoms and the traumatic event • A supportive environment that takes serious the reality of trauma • Prayer • Processing • Forgiving the past

  14. Process of Trauma (PTSD)35% of symptoms on regular basis indicates presence of Trauma • Shock • Numbness • Denial/Disconnected • Reoccurring anxiety • Nightmares • Changes in appetite • Trouble sleeping • Shame/Guilt • Being on edge • Despair/Hopeless • Easily startled • Low energy/depressing • Constantly busy • Memory Problems • Overly Alert/Agitated • Unable to focus • Resentful • Difficulty making decisions • Spontaneous crying • Over-protective of loved ones

  15. Healing Process How do we heal the effects of stress and trauma? • Name It • Claim It • Tame It

  16. Recommendation • Goal: For therapists, police, medical staff, clergy who are exposed to vicarious or direct trauma attend a full 5 day workshop • The affected and those infected by stress and trauma get one on one support to overcome and process the symptoms of the stress or trauma • Contact: p.boyle@usa.net • www.holistictraumahealing.org

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