Growth from Darkness

Abandonment issues are a type of trauma response that can develop in people who have experienced a significant loss or separation from a loved one. This can happen at any age, but it is most common in childhood. People with abandonment issues may have a number of different symptoms, including: Fear of being alone. Feelings of worthlessness or unlovability. Intense anxiety or panic attacks when sep...

The trauma response need for control is a coping mechanism that people develop in response to trauma. It is a way of trying to feel safe and secure by having a sense of control over their environment. People who have experienced trauma often feel powerless and out of control, so they may try to regain that sense of control by controlling other aspects of their lives. In this episode we will cover:...

Trauma response people pleasing can be a way of trying to control the situation and feel safe. It can also be a way of avoiding negative emotions, such as anger, sadness, and fear. However, trauma response people pleasing can also be harmful. It can lead to people feeling drained, resentful, and isolated. It can also make it difficult to set boundaries and have healthy relationships. In this episo...

Trauma avoidance is a coping mechanism that people use to avoid thinking about, talking about, or experiencing anything that reminds them of a traumatic event. This can include avoiding places, people, activities, or even thoughts and feelings that are associated with the trauma. Trauma avoidance can be a helpful coping mechanism in the short term, as it can help people to manage their emotions an...

Trauma avoidance is a coping mechanism that people use to avoid thinking about, talking about, or experiencing anything that reminds them of a traumatic event. This can include avoiding places, people, activities, or even thoughts and feelings that are associated with the trauma. Trauma avoidance can be a helpful coping mechanism in the short term, as it can help people to manage their emotions an...

Aggressive behavior is any behavior that is intended to harm or injure another person or animal. It can take many forms, including physical violence, verbal abuse, and emotional manipulation. Aggressive behavior is often motivated by anger, frustration, or a desire to control others. What is it What are the long term consequences? How do we fight back

Acceptance is that moment when you’re finally in a position to move forward with your healing. At this point you’ve reached a place where you have processed and acknowledged what happened to you and you're in a better mindset to deal with the emotions and consequences of having gone through something so traumatic. Many people believe that “acceptance” means forgiving the person who hurt you or eve...

It’s been a roller coaster. Your emotions have been all over the map and you’ve struggled to focus on what ‘real life’ might look like after having experienced the trauma you’ve survived. You’ve been distracted and focused on everything under the sun except what you’ve needed to focus on. Now, emotions are starting to even out, and the quiet stage of depression moves in like an unwelcome roommate....

After we somehow manage to work through denial and learn to start coping with the anger, all of the underlying emotions connected to the trauma we survived start to become much more clear. It can be so overwhelming that the intensity is often too much and we don’t know how to cope with it all. You’re finally getting a first look at the real magnitude of what you’ve lost or what you’ve been through...

Moving past the denial of a traumatic event can take time, but once you’re past that one, the rest of the world sort of opens up for you - and it’s scarier than you might have imagined. The reality of what you survived starts smacking you upside the head like a brick being thrown from a fifth floor window. Being bombarded by that emotional overload starts to bring up all sorts of emotions you migh...

Denial is considered the first stage of trauma and grief because it’s a type of defense mechanism. It helps to reduce the impact of what you’ve experienced so that you might have more time to evaluate what happened to you when you might be more ready to do so. The initial blow can be devastating, and our brains do what they can to protect us. While denial is a protective measure, it won’t last for...

Welcome to the first ever full episode of the Growth from Darkness podcast! This week the hosts Hrisanthi Dokos and Amanda Blackwood dig into what a trauma reaction is. But to fully understand a trauma reaction, it's important to understand what 'trauma' is and where it comes from. Listen in as they talk about personal experiences with trauma reactions, the different forms of trauma, and everythin...