How to Identify Trauma: The Mind-Body Gap

Have you ever felt like there's a disconnect between what you logically know is true and what your body believes? This is a common experience for trauma survivors. Trauma is as diverse as the people who experience it, making a common definition difficult, but when there's an inconsistency between what you logically know is true and the signals your body is sending, that's a clue you've got trauma.

Over our careers as trauma therapists, we've found many people aren't certain they've experienced trauma. Some people fear they may be "overreacting" or inflating their experience. But we haven't found that most people dramatize their experiences. In fact, people under-acknowledge the impact of trauma. If you know what that mind-body gap feels like all too well, you deserve to heal and feel better.

Defining Trauma in Simple Terms

Trauma can be challenging to define because it manifests differently for everyone. One straightforward way to think about trauma is as a gap between what you logically know and what you feel in your body. This gap can create intense emotional responses that seem to defy rational thought. Let’s break this down with a few examples.

Why Can’t You Think Your Way Out of Trauma?

Trauma isn’t something you can simply “think” away because it’s stored in your body, not just in your mind. Your logical brain might understand that you’re safe or that your partner is trustworthy and you're lovable. But your body has learned something different. Your body is doing too good of a job protecting you from future harm, holding onto the trauma as a way to keep you safe from perceived threats.

The Logical vs. The Physical Response

Imagine you’ve been in a car accident. Logically, you might know that you’re safe now, that the roads are clear, and that you’re a careful driver. But when you think about getting behind the wheel, your body tells a different story. You might feel your heart race, your palms get sweaty, or your stomach drop. This is your body’s way of holding onto the trauma, even when your mind knows you’re okay.

It might be less concrete: You’re in a relationship with someone you know is trustworthy. They’ve never given you a reason to doubt them, and logically, you believe in their loyalty. Yet, you can’t shake the feeling that they’re going to betray you. This fear lingers in your body, creating a sense of unease that doesn’t align with the facts you know to be true.

It can also be about who you are inside. You may logically know you have friends, a satisfying career, and people who care about you, but feel deep down that you're defective or unlovable. This is likely a traumatic belief from early in your life when your needs weren't met. While there may not be a single traumatic incident that caused that belief, it's not something you should have to carry when it's not true.

EMDR Therapy To Bridge the Gap

So, how do you bridge the gap between what you know and what you feel? Can your logical mind align with a calm physical response? This is where EMDR therapy (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) comes in. EMDR is a powerful tool that helps your mind and body reconnect and process trauma fully.

How EMDR Works

EMDR therapy allows you to process traumatic memories in a way that your body can release the physical and emotional responses associated with them. During a session, your EMDR therapist will guide you through recalling the traumatic event while focusing on specific bilateral stimulation. This process helps to rewire your brain, creating new, healthier connections between your mind and body.

Why EMDR Is Effective

Unlike traditional talk therapy, where you might focus on your thoughts, EMDR addresses the physical aspect of trauma. It helps your body let go of the trauma it’s holding onto, allowing you to feel aligned with what your mind knows to be true. This is crucial for healing. EMDR therapy resolves the dissonance between mind and body, leading to lasting relief from trauma symptoms.

The Path to Healing

Healing from trauma is possible, but it requires more than understanding your trauma logically. You need to process it fully, and sometimes that means seeking help from a therapist who understands the mind-body connection. EMDR, can be incredibly effective in helping you move past the trauma that’s been holding you back.

Why Choose EMDR Therapy?

Personalized Treatment

Though it does follow a specific protocol, EMDR therapy is tailored to your specific needs. Your EMDR therapist will create a plan to focus on the trauma that’s affecting you the most. Whether it’s anxiety after an accident, trust issues in a relationship, or beliefs about your worth, EMDR can help you find relief.

Accessible EMDR Therapy Options

Our teletherapy services offer a convenient way to access trauma therapy from the comfort of your home. We specialize in therapy for millennials, therapy for lawyers, LGBT couples therapy, and more, ensuring that you receive the support you need.

EMDR Therapy In San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Throughout California & Florida

If you’re struggling with the gap between what you know and what you feel, EMDR therapy can help bridge that divide. Our EMDR therapists in Los Angeles and San Francisco are here to help you on your journey to healing. Schedule a free consultation today and take the first step towards a more peaceful, aligned life.