Tuesday, September 16, 2008

The Drama Called Trauma

It happened one day in July. One of those moments when the Universe was nudging me, and I was just awake enough to notice. I'd been talking about how I had been traumatized during my pregnancy experience and the outfall, but I hadn't been recognizing how the trauma was affecting me. I thought depression was the only symptom of trauma.

I was attending my first weekend enlightenment training after an eight month hiatus. In the hallway, there was a postcard advertising this book:

I thought, "I need to get this book. This is what I've been experiencing."

I went to Buns and Noodle to try to find the book. Instead, I found this book:

I read how trauma is an instinctual response to being overwhelmed, and how the energy can get stuck in our bodies if we don't have a way to discharge it, basically causing the trauma to replay over and over in our lives. I now had a doorway to understanding my seemingly irrational behavior during my pregnancy.

It is any coincidence that both these authors live in my groovy western town? It appears that not only do I live in alternative medicine mecca, but I apparently live in trauma therapy central. Who knew? I wish I knew back then.

7 comments:

Duffy said...

These books look really intriguing - I will need to check them out. Thanks for writing about them.

Lost in Space said...

Hugs, Phoebe. I hope the insight from the book helps you to find more healing.

Muser Grace said...

A former therapist of mine recommended the book too. I ahven't read it yet, but I did do one somatic experiencing session with her (she was trained by Levine). I found it helpful and imagine it would be a good way to deal with trauma. Since I was already doing the DNMS I didn't pursue it, but I may go back to it some day...

Melanie said...

Thank you, Phoebe. Sincerely, thank you. Your comment was sensitive, intelligent and very, very much appreciated and needed. I'm wishing for healing for both of us.

Geohde said...

Those books sound helpful..

J

Lori Lavender Luz said...

I can think of a few people I should buy these for.

Cool that they are local authors, too.

Geeks in Rome said...

any book with a feline on the cover has to kick butt. hugs :)