We launched POOT last Monday! Our first session went so well. We welcomed new survivors who are searching for support, hope, and healing. My heart was filled with joy.
After briefly reviewing our purpose and guidelines for the group, Lisa Becerra (our leader) taught on how trauma is trapped in our brains. Our brain consists of the Prefrontal Cortex, Amygdala, and Hippocampus. The Prefrontal Cortex regulates emotions, executive functions, and assists with rational thinking. After trauma, the prefrontal cortex will have a hard time regulating fear and other emotions. It reduces one’s ability to think rationally and may cause executive function deficits.
The Amygdala is responsible for emotions, survival instincts, and memory. Trauma causes the amygdala to become hyperactive. This can lead to heightened fear, chronic stress, and increased irritation. It can also make it harder to calm down or sleep.
The Hippocampus assists with learning and memory storage and is responsible for differentiating between past and present. Trauma may make it difficult to recall some memories while causing other memories to be extremely vivid and constant. It can also make the hippocampus shrink.
Do you know people who are so high functioning in their work and yet so stuck emotionally? They overreact to a little thing? I sure do.
And even in myself. Looking back, I can see how I overreacted emotionally at times. One day, this person came at me with criticism. On a scale of 1-10, that hurtful accusation should have been a five, but I made it a ten. Now, I understand how the trauma was trapped in my brain. My logic did not have time to say, “You hurt me. Let’s talk about this. Let’s agree to disagree. Perhaps this is your issue, not mine.” Instead, I let it affect my self-worth, taking it personally as I sunk into tears.
This computer we carry in our body, called the brain, has tremendous influence over our thoughts, feelings, and actions. As we recognize trauma is trapped in our bodies, we can learn how to release it. We have various activities or exercises in our POOT materials on how to do this. Lisa has been trained in certain Somatic Experiencing practices along with Aromatherapy. We believe in wholeness healing: body, mind, and soul.
Lilly Villarruel, author of hurting heart, Poetry and Prose (2019), led the spiritual practice. Reading one of her poems, we reflected on, “What is God asking you to let go of?” Here is the lovely poem:
Beautiful Soul, Let go of what hurts your heart.
Repeat.
It Still hurts. But I am fine.
I have lost my mind but found my soul.
I feel the feeling without becoming the emotions.
I am love.
What is God asking you to let go of?
Admitting the trauma breaks the power of shame. “It did happen to me.” Then, the healing process can begin. Therapy and support give us knowledge, insights, and the love we need to get through this. Deeper healing happens when we invite God into it.
Recently, a family member called me with some false accusations. They stated I said something and blew it out of proportion. I just listened calmly. This person is going through a crisis and needed to cast blame on me. I said that was not true and stated what I did say and meant.
I can’t control what they think or say or interpret what I said. But I tell you this. I did not overreact. I did not take it personal. I offered compassion to my family member for going through this difficult crisis. When I hung up the phone, I did not sink into tears. My peace returned and I went on with my day.
You can have this freedom, too. Admit it happened. Turn to God. He loves you more than you know!
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