I leaned heavily on the website called Life Model. It defines two types of trauma: Type A is neglect, or the lack of training while young. Type B is abuse. Both types can lead to emotional and developmental damage such as PTSD, Depression, Bipolar and other personality disorders. Here, I paint with a wide brush. Damage is damage and the objective is to become healthy.
Once we define health, we can recognize where we are unhealthy and try to correct it. Say, for example, our parents did not know what health is. If they do not know, they cannot model health in their lives. They cannot teach us. Because there is no example of health, we grow up unhealthy. Of course, because we do not know what healthy is, we do not know we are unhealthy until we meet healthy people and compare notes. Maybe something like, “I like that about you”.
Actually, meeting healthy people is an important source of healing. Even though everyone carries damage in some part of their life, when we get together with safe people, we can learn from their strengths and become stronger. Especially if we are trying to become healthy.
If we grew up in a healthy environment, but receive trauma when we were older, then we have a memory of health and recovery is easier. I say easier, but depending on the trauma our damage can range from mild to profound. The initial trauma may be temporary lasting only a few seconds. However, without help, the damage can become long term or maybe permanent. In Appendix 3, “New Study”, evidence shows the brain continues to rewire itself nine days after a traumatic event. If help is found right away, damage can be prevented. If not, the damage is delayed. It’s kind of like a burn. Touch something hot, and the blister shows up later.
The same thing that might traumatize me, might not affect you. Why? Because your age, background and experience might make you more mature than me. Girls, seem to know more about sex than boys of the same age. A thirteen year old girl might already have started her period, a boy of that age is just learning how to throw a baseball. A fourteen year old girl might be a responsible baby sitter, a seventeen year old boy barley knows how to do dishes.
Maturity determines the effects of trauma. If a person is prepared for an event, then it is not traumatic. Like trying to tickle oneself, one cannot intentionally become traumatized. Trauma comes to those who are ill-prepared. Haunted houses are not scary because we expect something scary. Even the trauma of taking a test at school is negated with proper preparation.
Now I wonder, if a soldier is better prepared for the horrors of war and the loss of control, will PTSD be prevented or reduced? If he has someone to talk with immediately after an event, will the trauma be prevented or reduced? How does one prepare for the trauma of rape when, in truth, it is such an abomination against the laws of God, that He forbids it? Certainly, teaching children about sexual deviancy is a form of psychological and emotional molestation. Perhaps there is a fine line for soldiers and another for children. Abuse is abuse. The problem with war is the simple fact that people abuse people. That is why we fight. To protect innocence and future generations.
A common thread I hear and find in my research is not the abuse itself, but the lack of control or escape. There is no way out. “I am forced to be in a situation where bad things are happening. I have no choice but to respond in a way I do not like. And I have to stay here until my time is up. There is no right answer.”
That’s right. You are not in control. There is no good answer. You do the best you can under the circumstances. This world is evil and Satan is out to destroy you: physically, emotionally and psychologically. He hates you and especially if you are a child of God, he will do everything in his power to rip you apart. That’s why when these thoughts reoccur, I pray. If Satan is trying to torture me, I will call on God to help. Then, if it is him trying to torture me, he will leave me alone because his torture leads me to God. What are you going to do?
Jesus is all you need
Trauma’s Brain
Degrees of Trauma
Maslow
11 Aspects
Men vs Women
Maslow Again
Brain Games
Addictions
Appendices & Links