The Impact of Trauma on our Pursuit of Meaning & Purpose || By Kevin Culver LPCC
Trauma is inherently disruptive – it disrupts our lives, our relationships, and our sense of self, safety, and wholeness. For this post, I want to focus on the ways trauma impacts our lives and how therapy can help get us back on track.
The wide-spread impact of trauma
Trauma occurs when one is exposed to overwhelming danger and personal threat, which creates a strong emotional and physiological reaction. Yet, with trauma, these strong reactions continue to linger in the mind and body, leading to prolonged difficulties across many dimensions of experience.
Trauma and the body
A traumatic event elicits our body’s defensive system, our “fight-flight-freeze” response. However, when the traumatic event is over, the body continues to be in a protective state, flooding the body with stress hormones and causing one to be constantly alert, hypervigilant, and aware.
This state of hyperarousal can make it difficult to be present in one’s life, as individuals are often flooded with intrusive sensations, thoughts, and feelings from the past. In many ways, their body is still stuck in the past, being unaware that it is now safe and away from danger.
Trauma and the mind
Trauma also impacts the mind and how we perceive the world. After trauma, the world may feel threatening and unpredictable. Trauma can also alter how one perceives oneself. Feelings of powerlessness are often part of a traumatic experience, which are later transformed into feelings of guilt, shame, and worthlessness. Many trauma survivors maintain beliefs about themselves, such as “I’m powerless,” “I’m worthless,” “I can’t trust myself,” or “It’s my fault.” These beliefs cast a dark shadow and create a heavy burden, making everyday life and relationships difficult to navigate.
Trauma and relationships
The impact of trauma on the body and the mind naturally creates a state of disconnection from self and others. Trauma survivors often feel a pull towards connecting with others while simultaneously feeling a desire to isolate, withdraw, and be alone. These conflicting desires can make it hard for individuals to form meaningful connections and reap the healing benefits of community.
How trauma impacts our pursuit of meaning & purpose
Hopefully by now, you can readily see how trauma can disrupt our pursuit of a meaningful, purposeful life. Broadly speaking, traumatic stress causes one to feel like they no longer have control or agency over their lives; it causes one to feel isolated, disconnected, and alone; and it causes one to be plagued by painful memories, emotions, and sensations from the past that intrude on the present.
And when one feels disconnected, afraid, and not in control, things like fulfillment, satisfaction, or purpose can feel far off and unachievable. In this state, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed, depressed, and hopeless. Yet, it is often this very state of discouragement that leads individuals to seek therapy out of a desire to better themselves and heal.
How therapy can help
The good news is that there is hope. Therapy can help clients suffering from traumatic stress reclaim their lives and relationships.
There are many ways to successfully treat trauma, but I want to briefly focus on two evidence-based treatments and summarize how they help heal trauma.
- Internal Family Systems (IFS):
IFS believes we all have an inherent ability to heal, but this innate ability is often blocked by protective parts which were forced into rigid roles after experiencing emotional pain or trauma. IFS therapy sessions consist of building trust with these protective parts in order to access and unburden more vulnerable, wounded parts of us that are weighed down by past traumas and the associated painful beliefs, sensations, and emotions. When this unburdening happens and wounded parts are acknowledged and freed, clients experience a major release from the symptoms of their trauma and report feelings of relief, lightness, and hope. - EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization & Reprocessing):
EMDR also operates on the assumption that our minds have a self-healing capacity. When a traumatic experience occurs, the information from that event is stored improperly in the mind and body, causing a flare up of negative symptoms and sensations. However, by using EMDR and incorporating eye movements, the mind’s self-healing capacity is activated, allowing the individual to successfully integrate traumatic memories and experiences. And once these memories and experiences are integrated in an adaptive way, clients can reclaim their autonomy and aliveness.
Trauma work is not easy, in fact it can be quite difficult, overwhelming, and draining. However, it is through this work that clients regain a sense of control over their lives and feel more connected to themselves, their relationships, and their purpose. It is courageous, vulnerable, and inspiring work to help facilitate and witness.
If you have any questions about trauma, EMDR, or IFS, please reach out. I’m happy to answer any questions as you begin (or continue) your journey towards healing and wholeness.
About the author: Kevin Culver, LPCC, is a professional counselor, published author, and owner of Resilient Kindness Counseling. Kevin has a MA in Mental Health Counseling and a BA in Theological Studies. With a background in spirituality, philosophy, and psychological research, Kevin provides a holistic approach to therapy that seeks to honor each client’s unique personality, worldview, and life aspirations. In his therapeutic work, he helps clients rediscover their humanity and create greater meaning in their lives, work, and relationships. He enjoys working with individuals from all backgrounds, but specializes in helping men work though anger, depression, and trauma. If you are interested in working with Kevin or learning more about his practice, please visit resilientkindness.com or email him at kevin@resilientkindness.com
