Trauma Rewired

Depression is one of the most researched mood disorders, but if we look a bit deeper into how depression is able to develop, it is more nuanced than we think. This means, treating depression isn't a one size fits all solution. It is agreed upon that depression is a chemical imbalance and can be treated with SSRIs or SNRIs, etc., which can work for some, but this doesn't always work for everyone. U...

The holidays can be a magical time full of celebrations and connection, but they can also evoke feelings of loneliness and overwhelm — especially for those with a history of trauma. This duality of emotions can be hard to navigate, so this episode of Trauma Rewired explores the complex emotions that many experience during this time and strategies to manage them without falling back to harmful beha...

In this episode of "Trauma Rewired," hosts Elisabeth Kristof and Jennifer Wallace delve into the intricate relationship between memory, trauma, and the nervous system. Originally this conversation was recorded and released in two parts and what you are listening to is a combination of them. The discussion underscores the multidimensional nature of memory, including how the superior and inferior hi...

Believe it or not, empaths and narcissists have foundational similarities. Not only does the brain chemistry look the same, but empaths and narcissists both struggle with nervous system regulation and look to others to help them regulate their emotions. But whereas the narcissist avoids the emotions of others, empaths are deeply affected and have a physiological experience to the emotions of other...

What happens in the brain when a stress response is activated ? How does developmental trauma shapes our nervous system and subconscious reactions as adults?   Today, we're answering those questions and diving deeper into how the brain develops through social interactions, why social connection is a survival need, and what happens in the body when we experience connection with other people.   Matt...

In this episode of Trauma Rewired, hosts Elisabeth Kristof, Jennifer Wallace, and Matt Bush delve into the intricate relations between complex trauma, neurodivergence, and brain function dysregulation. The conversation highlights how gradual exposure to non-threatening stimuli can help manage threat responses, and the importance of achieving balance between the sympathetic and parasympathetic nerv...

Trauma isn't just a single event—it's the ongoing experience that unfolds afterward. Our access to resources, support, tools, and coping mechanisms greatly influences how our brain and nervous system are patterned in response to trauma, which in turn shapes our emotions and behaviors. By understanding these patterns as protective adaptations rather than flaws, we open the door to repatterning our...

As we unpack the impact of childhood neglect and discuss the ways emotional dysregulation can stem from early experiences, this episode sheds light on the importance of building a relationship with our emotions. The journey of emotional healing starts right where you are, and even the smallest steps—like becoming curious about your emotional responses—can lead to profound change. In today's episod...

In this episode, we delve into the profound connection between trauma, attachment wounds, and insomnia. We begin by discussing how secure attachments, particularly with family members like grandparents, can mitigate stress but their loss can trigger insomnia and other physical symptoms. Both hosts share personal anecdotes to highlight the pervasive impact of family disruptions and relational stres...

Autoimmune diseases are often labeled as "illnesses of the unknown." The medical field has yet to identify the root cause of these conditions, which are frequently considered incurable. However, a significant aspect might be overlooked: the role of trauma. Histories of abuse, trauma, and even early relational trauma during infancy are crucial factors in understanding the complex environment where...

The amount of time and patience it takes to heal the body cannot be understated. Pushing our own personal boundaries to create a larger capacity to be witnessed and seen, can feel counterintuitive at times. However, if we can dig deep to understand how the nervous system attempts to protect us, even when it doesn't feel like it, we can come to a place of deep compassion for ourselves and others to...

Our emotional and nervous systems are intricately connected. Our emotional states provide clues about the state of our nervous system, and vice versa. Conditions such as autoimmune diseases, gut health issues, pain, eczema, and psoriasis often trace back to complex trauma and nervous system dysregulation. These physical symptoms are our body's protective responses. Viewing overall health from this...

For highly sensitive people (HSPs), the intensity of the world often feels magnified. Their heightened sensitivity makes them highly empathetic and deeply attuned to others' emotions. This allows them to form meaningful, compassionate connections. However, it can also lead to overwhelm. Everyday stimuli—like sounds, touch, smells, textures, and colors—can be particularly dysregulating for HSPs. Th...

We live in an extremely overstimulating society, where information is coming at us from all angles, and the brain is constantly working to make sense of it all. As we continue to unravel and understand ADHD, we're beginning to see it not just as a disorder, but as an adaptive response to the world. With this perspective, we can work with ADHD more effectively and with greater empathy. In today's e...

What is a neurotypical world? Here at Trauma Rewired, we don't believe it exists. As humans, we are biodynamic, unique, individuals that process the world around us differently. So understanding how that happens is key to unlocking our healing potential. Complex trauma adds another layer to the mix, which we believe is not separate from neurodivergence. The "extra" neural pathways reinforced by tr...

There is a staggering number of adults with ADHD, autism, and neurodivergence, who have yet to be diagnosed. Even in the age of information, many adults don't realize they are wired differently until their children are diagnosed. This can create all sorts of issues in the nervous system for these folks, by suppressing, repressing, masking their true selves, and feelings of inadequacy can take a to...

In a society where we are encouraged, and sometimes forced to conform, life can become quite dysregulating for neurodivergent people. Feeling misunderstood, not good enough, or wanting to fit in, suppresses a person's ability to be in full self-expression and wreaks havoc on the nervous system. The isolation and shame associated with being neurodivergent can create its own protective outputs, addi...

Our beliefs about ourselves and the world are so deeply ingrained in our being that every sensory input is filtered through the lens of these beliefs. Beliefs like, "I am not enough" or "I am unworthy", can create maladaptive emotions, behaviors, or thoughts, and can cause a ton of stress on our nervous systems and result in illness or disease, especially when that belief is misaligned with who we...

In a society that often equates our worth with productivity, focusing on rest and recovery can feel unsafe, potentially leading to increased stress in both our minds and bodies. By challenging the need to be constantly productive and redefining our relationship with rest, we can uncover a common theme: doing more doesn't always equate to achieving more. Whether that is career success, finances, he...

Depression is one of the most researched mood disorders, but if we look a bit deeper into how depression is able to develop, it is more nuanced than we think. This means, treating depression isn't a one size fits all solution. It is agreed upon that depression is a chemical imbalance and can be treated with SSRIs or SNRIs, etc., which can work for some, but this doesn't always work for everyone. U...

magine a flame that isn't receiving adequate fuel, slowly dying down. This is a great visualization of what happens in the body when we are experiencing burnout. When we push past our capacity and boundaries, while doing things that may not be authentic or aligned with us, we are essentially burning through our reserves faster than we can replenish them. This is so common for people to experience...

As humans we rely on visual memory the most, but what if we told you that memories, especially memories that were formed before we had language, live primarily in our bodies. It's safe to say, the body keeps score, more than we know.   It can be extremely dis-regulating to try to retrieve memories that live in the body without proper training because the visual aspect of the memory may not correla...

Explore the intricate world of memory and trauma and delve into how generational trauma impacts our nervous system, behavior, and even our genes. Discover the fascinating science behind neuropeptides, epigenetics, and how your body stores and processes traumatic memories.  The hosts explore how generational trauma manifests through behavioral, nervous system, and epigenetic changes, and discuss ho...