63
Triggers( trauma reminders) and flashbacks( continued)
SAID ALOUD
Aim. To understand the panicked and exaggerated behaviour of trauma survivors who experience flashbacks.
Trainer. Some words of introduction before I go on with the story. Our survival mechanisms ensure that we need only one experience to learn that something is dangerous. We have evolved responses that cause us to become aware swiftly when objects or situations resemble a dangerous experience we have had. An ancient part of our brain( the amygdala) alerts us to anything that resembles a past danger or trauma. This means that our bodies react or feel alarm when we approach something dangerous or that resembles a person, an object or an experience that has been dangerous to us in the past. We are built to generalise what we have experienced. So, if a woman is harmed by a man with blue eyes, all blue-eyed men, or even all men, may subsequently arouse fear and anxiety in that woman.
PART II: THE TRAINING
When our survival mechanisms are activated, the areas of the brain that deal with thinking, planning and reflection are‘ turned off’. Because only a limited part of the brain is processing what is happening, we can react almost automatically to a threat. And when trauma memories are triggered the brain goes into emergency mode, even if we are not in fact in danger. This explains the panicked and exaggerated behaviour of trauma survivors who experience flashbacks. Note how the Butterfly Woman reacts when her trauma memories are triggered.
At her medical examinations and treatment the Butterfly Woman felt more prepared. When memories about the rape came into her mind, she looked about her and named what she saw. She held tightly the stone that fitted her hand. And the nurse spoke gently to her, saying:“ You are safe in the hospital. You are getting help. You are a strong woman. You are doing very well. You are really doing what we practised together. I am proud of you. You can be proud of yourself too.” The Woman felt that she could be a little proud.
After this she returned to the rehabilitation centre. She felt calm after spending some time there. Her arms, legs and back felt stronger, and her heart felt lighter. She smiled and could think more clearly. This filled her with relief.
One day, when she felt light at heart, she went to the market. But there she saw some soldiers and, as if lightning had struck her, she panicked and fled to the centre. She felt it was all happening again, as if a film were playing in her head. Every time she saw a soldier, she felt the same, the memories flooded back, and she lost control. After a while she became afraid of almost all men. Her reaction was to flee.( Hyper-arousal symptoms and anxiety). Some days later she hit a man who had walked up behind her. She felt trapped because the path was narrow and, before she knew it, she had hit him hard. The sound of his steps reminded her of the rapists. She could not think, only react.
When she returned to the centre she was afraid and panicky and suddenly lost all her energy. She felt like a zombie and went to bed. The strength in her arms and legs left her and she could not think clearly. She could not smile. She felt sadness and confusion. She was afraid of going mad. It took some days before she became well enough to participate again in any activity.
BREAK 15 – 20 MINUTES.