The Healing of HealersThe Healing of HealersChallenges to overcome the effects of stress, trauma and vicarious Challenges to overcome the effects of stress, trauma and vicarious traumatizationtraumatization

Stress and Trauma are a significant Stress and Trauma are a significant health problem in the US.health problem in the US.

Up to 80% of physical illness is related to stress, life's Up to 80% of physical illness is related to stress, life's experiences, overwhelming events experiences, overwhelming events – – Paul Boyle, Paul Boyle, Director Director of Holistic Trauma Healing, Nairobiof Holistic Trauma Healing, Nairobi

If unrecognized or undervalued it will undermine all If unrecognized or undervalued it will undermine all attempts to heal individuals, communities and society at attempts to heal individuals, communities and society at large.large.

Often, we treat the symptom, pop a pill, instead of dealing Often, we treat the symptom, pop a pill, instead of dealing with the sourcewith the source

We must do bothWe must do both

The first five years after Post The first five years after Post Conflict – war in Iraq, AfghanistanConflict – war in Iraq, Afghanistan

If there is no longer an enemy the impact of the trauma If there is no longer an enemy the impact of the trauma must be displaced – on someone, somewhere, somehowmust be displaced – on someone, somewhere, somehow

The displacement will go back to the cultureThe displacement will go back to the culture

SpouseSpouse

ChildChild

Addictions: alcohol, drug, sex abuse, homicide, suicideAddictions: alcohol, drug, sex abuse, homicide, suicide

Healing ProcessHealing Process

How do we heal the effects How do we heal the effects of stress and trauma?of stress and trauma?Name ItName ItClaim It Claim It Tame It Tame It

If you don’t deal with trauma …If you don’t deal with trauma …trauma will deal with you.trauma will deal with you.

If you don’t manage it …If you don’t manage it …it will manage you.it will manage you.

If you don’t control it …If you don’t control it …it will control youit will control you

If you don’t sort it out …If you don’t sort it out …it will sort you outit will sort you out

Trauma doesn’t go away like Trauma doesn’t go away like stressstress

It remembers itself somewhere in our system, in our It remembers itself somewhere in our system, in our minds, bodies and souls. minds, bodies and souls.

It affects our thoughts, feelings and relationships.It affects our thoughts, feelings and relationships.

Often in the place that wants to be gratified which Often in the place that wants to be gratified which promotes self medication and in turn addictionspromotes self medication and in turn addictions

All human beings seek happiness however when All human beings seek happiness however when stressed/traumatised we tend to seek and gain only stressed/traumatised we tend to seek and gain only pleasure that does not fulfil.pleasure that does not fulfil.

There is always a triggerThere is always a trigger

Something that will evoke a memorySomething that will evoke a memory

Smell, sounds, sights, dates, familiar people, Smell, sounds, sights, dates, familiar people, flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.flashbacks and intrusive thoughts.

The memory remains stored in the brain and comes The memory remains stored in the brain and comes alive as if it is happening all over again and again.alive as if it is happening all over again and again.

Indicators of Stress & TraumaIndicators of Stress & Trauma

StressStress TraumaTrauma Severe TraumaSevere Trauma

AngerAnger RageRage HomicideHomicideSadnessSadness DepressionDepression SuicideSuicide

FearFear TerrorTerror GenocideGenocideDistrustDistrust ParanoiaParanoia Serious Mental Serious Mental

IllnessIllnessControlledControlled ManipulatedManipulated AbusedAbusedHelplessHelpless HopelessHopeless UselessUseless

One traumatized person can One traumatized person can traumatize 100 peopletraumatize 100 people

Stress is momentary, whereas TraumaStress is momentary, whereas Trauma

Is a way of lifeIs a way of life

Alters the EgoAlters the Ego

Causes a Negative Life changeCauses a Negative Life change

Can create permanent emotional, physical and Can create permanent emotional, physical and mental disability.mental disability.

Can Lead to PTSDCan Lead to PTSD

Two Emergency Responses to TraumaTwo Emergency Responses to Trauma

Hyper-Arousal = Fight or FlightHyper-Arousal = Fight or Flight

Dissociation = FreezeDissociation = Freeze

Hyper-Arousal/Fight or Flight Hyper-Arousal/Fight or Flight

Fear – TerrorFear – Terror

Adrenal System increasesAdrenal System increases

Heart/Blood pressure system increaseHeart/Blood pressure system increase

Serotonin decreasesSerotonin decreases

Cognitive Process hyperCognitive Process hyper

Respiration increasesRespiration increases

Adult male response – aggressionAdult male response – aggression

Potential homicidePotential homicide

Dissociation/FreezeDissociation/Freeze

Defeat – surrenderDefeat – surrender

Numbing – dissociationNumbing – dissociation

Freezing feelings – CompliantFreezing feelings – Compliant

FaintingFainting

Heart Rate decreasesHeart Rate decreases

Sensory alterationsSensory alterations

Muscles go numbMuscles go numb

PassivePassive

Potential suicidePotential suicide

Possible ResponsesPossible Responses

DenialDenial

Trauma remains Trauma remains unconscious and is subject unconscious and is subject to triggers where the to triggers where the trauma is stored – the trauma is stored – the place where the brain place where the brain wants stimulationswants stimulations

Drugs, Sex, ViolenceDrugs, Sex, Violence

Reward > addictionsReward > addictions

HealingHealing

Begins by reflecting on the Begins by reflecting on the symptoms and the traumatic symptoms and the traumatic eventevent

A supportive environment that A supportive environment that takes serious the reality of takes serious the reality of traumatrauma

PrayerPrayer

ProcessingProcessing

Forgiving the pastForgiving the past

Process of Trauma (PTSD)Process of Trauma (PTSD)35% of symptoms on regular basis 35% of symptoms on regular basis

indicates presence of Traumaindicates presence of Trauma ShockShock

NumbnessNumbness

Denial/DisconnectedDenial/Disconnected

Reoccurring anxietyReoccurring anxiety

NightmaresNightmares

Changes in appetiteChanges in appetite

Trouble sleepingTrouble sleeping

Shame/GuiltShame/Guilt

Being on edgeBeing on edge

Despair/HopelessDespair/Hopeless

Easily startledEasily startled

Low energy/depressingLow energy/depressing

Constantly busyConstantly busy

Memory ProblemsMemory Problems

Overly Alert/AgitatedOverly Alert/Agitated

Unable to focusUnable to focus

ResentfulResentful

Difficulty making decisionsDifficulty making decisions

Spontaneous cryingSpontaneous crying

Over-protective of loved onesOver-protective of loved ones

Healing ProcessHealing Process

How do we heal the effects How do we heal the effects of stress and trauma?of stress and trauma?Name ItName ItClaim It Claim It Tame It Tame It

RecommendationRecommendation

Goal: For therapists, police, medical staff, clergy who Goal: For therapists, police, medical staff, clergy who are exposed to vicarious or direct trauma attend a full 5 are exposed to vicarious or direct trauma attend a full 5 day workshopday workshop

The affected and those infected by stress and trauma The affected and those infected by stress and trauma get one on one support to overcome and process the get one on one support to overcome and process the symptoms of the stress or traumasymptoms of the stress or trauma

Contact: Contact: p.boyle@usa.net

www.holistictraumahealing.org