Psychological trauma recovery works through interconnected biological and psychological mechanisms

   Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "Psychological trauma recovery works through interconnected biological and psychological mechanisms". The main reason why I chose this topic is because many people don't know how to heal from the trauma of their past, Many people are willing to take medication to recover from trauma, even though medication only acts as a buffer for emotional wounds, not a cure. At its core is "reprogramming" how the brain and body respond to painful memories.

 

Below is an explanation of trauma recovery mechanisms divided into three main aspects:

 

1. Biological Mechanism: Neuroplasticity (Brain Plasticity)

The key to healing is neuroplasticity — the brain’s ability to change, repair itself, and form new neural pathways.

 

- Trauma-Related Issues: When trauma occurs, the brain enters survival mode.

- The amygdala (fear/alarm center) becomes overactive.

- The hippocampus (memory center) fails to process the event as "past," so the memory feels like it is happening "in the present."

- The prefrontal cortex (rational brain) becomes less active ("offline").

- Recovery Mechanism: Therapy and exercises help calm the amygdala and reactivate the prefrontal cortex. The goal is to move traumatic memories from "active emotional memory" to "ordinary long-term memory" with a sense of timing (understanding that the event is over).

 

2. Two Recovery Pathways: Top-Down & Bottom-Up

In modern psychology, there are two main approaches to accessing these healing mechanisms:

A. Top-Down Processing (From Mind to Body)

Uses the rational brain to calm emotions.

 

- Method: Through talk therapy (e.g., CBT/Cognitive Behavioral Therapy).

- Mechanism: You are guided to recognize negative thought patterns (e.g., "I am not safe anywhere") and train the brain to challenge them with logic and facts ("I am safe now; the event is over"). This strengthens the prefrontal cortex’s "muscles" to control fear.

 

B. Bottom-Up Processing (From Body to Mind)

Uses the body to send safety signals to the brain. This is critical because trauma is often "stored" in the body (muscle tension, rapid heartbeat).

 

- Method: Breathing exercises, mindfulness, yoga, or somatic therapy.

- Mechanism: Directly calms the autonomic nervous system. When the body relaxes, it sends signals to the brainstem and amygdala that "there is no danger," allowing the rational brain to function again.

 

3. Stages of the Recovery Mechanism (Judith Herman’s Model)

These mechanisms unfold gradually through three main phases:

 

- Safety & Stabilization:

Before exploring old wounds, the nervous system must first be calmed. The focus is on helping you feel safe in the present and able to manage overwhelming emotions.

- Remembrance & Mourning (Processing):

This is the core of trauma processing. Traumatic memories are recalled in small, safe doses (exposure) and then given new meaning. The goal is desensitization — reducing the negative emotional charge of the memory so it no longer hurts when remembered.

- Reconnection & Integration:

Trauma no longer defines who you are; it becomes just a small part of your life story. You begin to rebuild social connections and new life purposes.

 

Summary

Trauma recovery is not about "erasing memories," but about changing your relationship with those memories. Through neuroplasticity, the brain learns that the memory is a thing of the past that no longer poses a physical threat to you in the present.

Signs of childhood trauma in adults

   Hi, today I would like to share the interesting topic, namely "Signs of childhood trauma in adults", the main reason why I choose that topic because not many people can detect it, Signs of childhood trauma in adults can appear in various forms, whether emotionally, behaviorally, cognitively, or physically. Childhood trauma occurs when a child experiences a frightening event, causes uncontrollable fear, or makes them feel unsafe without adequate support. Its effects can be long-lasting and affect how a person interacts with the world, themselves, and others as an adult. Below is a more detailed explanation of the signs:

 

Emotional Signs

- Excessive worry and anxiety: Often feeling anxious for no clear reason, experiencing severe social anxiety, or having panic attacks. Childhood trauma can make the brain accustomed to dangerous situations, so it stays in "alert" mode even when there is no real threat.

- Depression and hopelessness: Often feeling sad, helpless, or having no hope for the future. Some people also experience a sense of emptiness or lack of a clear identity.

- Difficulty managing emotions: Easily angered, offended, or crying for no clear reason. Sometimes also experiencing "emotional numbing," where it is hard to feel happiness or affection.

- Excessive guilt and shame: Always feeling at fault even when doing nothing wrong, or being ashamed of themselves and their past. Trauma can make a person feel that they are to blame for the events that happened to them.

- Difficulty trusting others: Hard to build deep relationships and trust others, because of fear of being betrayed, hurt, or neglected like what happened in childhood.

 

Behavioral Signs

- Difficulty in relationships: Often experiencing problems in romantic, friendship, or family relationships — for example, being too dependent, too distant, or always looking for conflict. Some people also tend to withdraw from social activities and live alone.

- Self-harm behavior: Engaging in behavior that is dangerous to oneself, such as hitting oneself, cutting oneself, or taking unnecessary risks. This can be a way to cope with painful feelings that cannot be expressed.

- Addiction: Trapped in addiction to alcohol, drugs, food, games, or other activities as a way to escape from trauma feelings.

- Difficulty sleeping or nightmares: Hard to fall asleep, often waking up in the middle of the night, or having nightmares that remind one of childhood traumatic events.

- Excessive control behavior: Always wanting to control all aspects of their life, because of fear of losing control like what happened in the past. This can appear in the form of strict habits, perfectionism, or difficulty accepting one's own flaws.

 

Cognitive Signs

- Negative thoughts about oneself: Always seeing oneself as not good enough, weak, or worthless. This can come from hurtful words or behavior of adults in childhood.

- Difficulty concentrating and remembering: Hard to focus on daily tasks, or experiencing memory problems — especially memories of the traumatic event itself (dissociation). Sometimes also experiencing "mind blank" when exposed to triggers that remind one of the trauma.

- Believing in wrong assumptions: Having unrealistic beliefs, such as "I will always be hurt" or "no one will love me." These beliefs can shape how a person sees the world and makes decisions.

- Dissociation: Sometimes feeling like "being detached from oneself" or as if watching their life from the outside. This is the brain's natural defense mechanism to protect itself from excessive pain.

 

Physical Signs 

- Unclear body pain: Experiencing back pain, headaches, stomach pain, or other physical discomfort that cannot be explained by medical causes. Trauma can affect the autonomic nervous system, causing muscle tension and physical health problems.

- Immune system problems: More susceptible to illness because of long-term stress from trauma that lowers the immune system.

- Digestive problems: Experiencing recurring gastritis, constipation, or diarrhea due to the connection between the brain and digestive tract that is affected by stress.

- Rapid heartbeat or difficulty breathing: Often feeling a racing heartbeat or difficulty breathing, especially when exposed to triggers that remind one of the trauma.

 

It should be noted that not all people who experience childhood trauma will show all these signs, and the severity can vary. Some people may not realize that their feelings or behaviors come from past trauma, because the symptoms can appear gradually as they get older.

 

If you or someone you know experiences these signs and finds it difficult to cope on your own, seeking help from a mental health professional (such as a therapist or counselor) can be very helpful. Therapies like Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (TF-CBT) or EMDR Therapy can help a person process trauma and build healthier ways to manage emotions and relationships.

What's the function of existential intelligence in reality

  Hi, today I would like to share about the interesting topic, namely "what's the function of existential intelligence in reality", the main reason why I choose that topic because many people don't know about its existence, for your information that existential Intelligence (often referred to as the 9th intelligence in Howard Gardner's Multiple Intelligences theory) is a person's ability to contemplate fundamental questions about human existence.

Simply put, it is the intelligence of the "big picture." People with this intelligence often grapple with questions about life, death, and the reality of the universe.

 

Here is a detailed explanation along with real-life examples:

 

Traits of People with Existential Intelligence

 

They are not satisfied with superficial answers. They tend to:

- Think philosophically.

- Be able to see things from a cosmic or broad perspective.

- Question established norms and "truths."

 

Concrete Examples in Daily Life 

1. Children Who Often Ask "Why?"

The purest examples are often seen in children who ask difficult questions to their parents, such as:

- "Where was I before I was born?"

- "Why do people have to die?"

- "Why are we on Earth instead of another planet?"

- "Where does God live?"

2. Interest in Deep Topics

Someone with this intelligence usually prefers discussions about:

- The origin of the universe (cosmology).

- Concepts of time and infinity.

- The meaning of love, suffering, or justice.

- They may prefer watching documentaries about outer space or reading philosophy books over light/gossip topics.

3. Ability to See "Beyond the Self"

When facing minor problems (e.g., traffic jams or losing money), they can stay calm because they see them in a long-term perspective.

- Example: "This frustration is only temporary and won't mean anything in 5 years."

4. Relevant Professions

People with high existential intelligence are often found in roles such as:

- Philosophers: Thinkers who formulate concepts about logic and ethics.

- Theologians/Spiritual Leaders: People who delve into the meaning of divinity and spirituality.

- Theoretical Physicists/Cosmologists: Like Einstein, who thought about the relativity of time and space.

- Abstract Artists/Writers: Whose works try to capture human emotions or conditions that are difficult to put into words.

 

World Figures Examples

Some figures considered to have very high existential intelligence: 

- Socrates: Always questioned the definitions of truth and justice.

- Buddha: Searched for answers to human suffering and a way out of it.

- Albert Einstein: Although a scientist, he often contemplated the mysteries of the universe with a sense of wonder that was almost spiritual.

 

[!NOTE]

Important: Having existential intelligence does not mean a person has to be religious. An atheist can also have high existential intelligence if they often contemplate ethics, morality, and the origin of the universe in depth.

 

Do You Have It? 

You may have dominant existential intelligence if you often feel: 

- Small when looking at stars at night, yet feel connected to the universe.

- Often daydreaming about the future of humanity.

- Wanting your life to have an impact or "legacy," not just to pursue money.