Emotions are integral aspects of human experience, influencing our thoughts, behaviors, and interactions. While emotions are a natural and healthy part of life, under certain circumstances, they can evolve into traumatic experiences that leave lasting impacts on our psychological and emotional well-being. This transformation from ordinary emotions to traumatic responses is a complex process that involves various factors.
Intensity and Overwhelm:
Ordinary emotions become traumatic when they reach an intensity that overwhelms an individual’s ability to cope effectively. Events that trigger intense fear, helplessness, or horror can lead to emotions becoming imprinted in memory in an unusually vivid and intrusive manner. This overwhelm disrupts the brain’s processing of the event, potentially leading to traumatic responses.
Lack of Resolution:
Trauma often stems from emotions associated with experiences that were not processed or resolved effectively. When these emotions are left unaddressed or suppressed, they can fester and magnify over time, contributing to the development of post-traumatic stress symptoms. Suppression of the body’s natural responses to emotion and stress is very common and this is why somatic techniques are so effective as they allow the completion the nervous system response.
Repetitive Experiences:
Experiencing similar distressing emotions repeatedly, whether due to recurring events or ongoing stressors, can lead to the emotional response becoming deeply ingrained. Over time, these accumulated emotional responses can contribute to the formation of trauma.
Lack of Support:
A lack of emotional support and validation during or after distressing experiences can contribute to the transformation of emotions into trauma. When individuals feel isolated or invalidated, their emotional experiences may become internalised in a way that reinforces a sense of helplessness.
Neurobiological Factors:
The brain’s response to overwhelming emotions can impact the encoding and retrieval of memories. In cases of trauma, the brain’s fear centers may become hyperactive, leading to the constant re-experiencing of distressing emotions even in the absence of immediate danger.
Associations and Triggers:
Emotions can become traumatic when they become associated with specific triggers or cues. These triggers, which can be sensory, situational, or emotional in nature, can evoke intense emotional reactions that resemble the original trauma, perpetuating a cycle of distress.
Chronic Stress:
Prolonged exposure to chronic stressors can amplify emotional responses and contribute to their transformation into trauma. The wear and tear on the body’s stress response system can lead to heightened sensitivities and reactivity.
Interpersonal Dynamics:
Trauma can arise from emotional experiences within relationships characterised by manipulation, abuse, or neglect. Emotions can become traumatic when they are entwined with experiences of betrayal, exploitation, or violation of trust.
About Michelle
Hi I’m Michelle Marsh and I am a coach, therapist, Kundalini Yoga teacher and lover of life.
As Mum with ADHD and highly sensitive person who is also a sensation seeker, I understand what it’s like to have your sensitivity running your life instead of aiding it. But I also know from experience that there is light at the end of the tunnel if you are willing to do the work. For myself, I was never afraid of doing the work… I just couldn’t work out WHAT to do! After years of searching, a few burn outs/breakdowns and intense study I became clear on what works and what doesn’t.
But I am not just sharing with you from an experience point of view. I am also teaching from a professional stance as someone who has studied and integrated teachings from biological, psychological and esoteric traditions. These include Creative Therapies, Kundalini Yoga (KRI), Registered Nursing, Clinical Hypnotherapy, Plant Medicine and Natural Living.
I combine my naturally enthusiastic belief in EVERY BODY with my natural empathic talents to provide you with just the right amount of space and direction so you can go deep and resurface anew.
During the time that I am your coach, I will not leave you hanging between sessions as I am available via email to answer questions and provide support as needed.
If you are unsure whether working with me is right for your unique circumstances, please reach out and I will help you to find clarity. I don’t do sales calls so our chat will be very casual and I will refer you in the right direction if I see that Aromanosis is not right for you at this time.
Michelle Marsh
Registered Counsellor (ACA)
Registered Kundalini Yoga Teacher (KRI)
Bsc (Nursing), Grad Dip Creative Therapies, Kundalini Yoga Teacher Cert, Clinical Hypnotherapy Cert