Mélody Thomas

Nov 9, 2024 | medium.com | Melody Thomas |Mélody Thomas

Melody Thomas·Follow3 min read·--According to Dr. Dan Siegel, the simplest definition of trauma is an experience that overwhelms our ability to cope. This experience does not need to be in conscious memory. And when it’s not in conscious memory, we need to look to our symptoms. Are we hyperaroused? Are we hypervigilant? Are we anxious? Are we depressed? Are we agitated? Are we addicted? Do we have more issues in relationships than is normal?

Nov 8, 2024 | medium.com | Melody Thomas |Mélody Thomas

Melody Thomas·Follow3 min read·--Perseveration occurs when you repeatedly think about something distressing and can’t stop. Usually with the intention of making it better. Or solving it differently. It’s a common symptom of trauma. If someone is experiencing perseveration to a disabling degree, they should consider the possibility they may have experienced a traumatic event. Even if they were too young to remember that event.

Nov 7, 2024 | medium.com | Melody Thomas |Mélody Thomas

Melody Thomas·Follow3 min read·--Part of the happiness of life consists not in fighting battles, but in avoiding them. A masterly retreat is in itself a victory. — Norman Vincent PealeTrauma can cause you to avoid certain people. It can also draw you to certain people. And there can seem to be no rhyme nor reason for why any of this is happening. So, the people you’re avoiding may not be the people you should be avoiding. And the people you’re drawn to may be people —You should probably avoid.

Nov 6, 2024 | medium.com | Melody Thomas |Mélody Thomas

Melody Thomas·Follow4 min read·--CPTSD occurs when a traumatic situation is inescapable. Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) describes the results of ongoing, inescapable, relational trauma. — CPTSD FoundationThis is important. It’s important because, unlike other types of trauma that might occur later in life and involve a perceived inescapability, childhood trauma involves an actual inescapability. So, the child actually has nowhere else to go.

Oct 14, 2024 | medium.com | Melody Thomas |Mélody Thomas

Melody Thomas·Follow2 min read·--A trauma bond is when an abused person develops sympathy for their abuser and finds it emotionally and psychologically impossible to exit the relationship. A relationship that does not involve repeated cycles of abuse interspersed with repeated cycles of soothing by the abuser is not a trauma bond. A trauma bond is not a relationship that has gone south. It’s not a relationship where you love a guy that’s a dick.