This global pandemic has found many in a temporary state of crisis. Trying to process the what ifs, worrying about our everyday lives and contemplating what will the future look like.
That crisis state for those of us though with unresolved childhood trauma, won’t just mean navigating the global pandemic of the present. It will mean navigating the past too. Our unresolved childhood trauma will respond to the present, with what has happened to us in the past.
The overwhelming thoughts that come to the surface without the familiar to fill the void. The desperate need to find a way to control the uncontrollable. Depression creeping in with another stressful life experience. Separation anxiety appearing at the thought of being left. Flight, fight, freeze responses in overdrive to protect ourselves and our survival. Felt senses appearing unsure of what’s what. Feelings of abandonment in isolation. Past traumatic memories being triggered. Having trouble staying in the now as anxiety increases. Dissociating and disconnecting as a way of safety.
As unhelpful as any of these responses and outflows on our systems are, as well as a huge variety of other responses. The part of the brain that holds any unresolved childhood trauma, and any additional unresolved trauma is responding in a way that makes sense.
Please know, you’re doing the best you can.