Blog #10 (chapters 19&20)
I find the science behind trauma to be incredibly interesting. As I read more about how the Trauma effects far more than just our behavior, I am starting to really appreciate the title of the book The Body Keeps the Score. I thought the EEG of a ‘normal’ brain verses a brain of someone who had experienced trauma was incredibly telling of how people with trauma chemically can’t put together coherent thoughts as well as ‘normal’ people. The pictures of these EEG’s provide so much insight as to why people struggling with trauma have trouble learning or fully engaging in their day to day activities.
The picture on the next page from the ten-year-old boy was incredibly fascinating as well! The results from the neuroimaging are so visible and tangible. I do wonder about other factors that could be attributed to his improvement in drawing. Between the first and last pictures there were 40 sessions. If they spaced them out every other week, there were months. My sister loves to doodle, and when she continues to draw something, I see improvement in her drawing within a few weeks. I don’t want to lessen the effectiveness of neuroimaging, but I was just curious about different factors that could have played into his improvement in drawing.
The last chapter of this book was not what I was expecting it to be, but was so much fun to read. I never really thought of how theater could be healing for people, but as I read more of the chapter it made more sense. In theater, people, in a safe way, have the ability to confront painful realities in either their lives or the lives of others and create symbolic transformation. Van Der Kolk gives the example of turning hate into love or aggression into surrender or betrayal into loyalty. I do think people involved in theater are probably best at feeling their emotions fully because the culture they are surrounded in. In theater, it is the job of actors to embody emotions and convey every feeling to the audience. Most of the population shy away from feeling uncomfortable emotions while people in theater embrace it. I think there is a big lesson that we can learn from those who are involved in theater. We should feel comfortable expressing fully our emotions in more places that simply on stage. What a unique way and also a safe way for people who’ve experienced deep hurt to heal!
I was also not expecting theater, but that would make sense. I would think it would be considered a part of play therapy? However, how do we get people to enjoy the things they once loved or to try something new when they are crippled by their past? The way Van Der Kolk explained, these people started doing theater right away. Or did I misinterpret this?
ReplyDeleteI have to say the last chapter was very exciting and got me thinking about all the ways to help clients we work with and the research opportunities that are just waiting to be started back up. Theater, music, books and all different ways of expressing oneself can be powerful tools that we as therapist should learn about it.
ReplyDeleteI was not expecting to read about theater as an effective way to help people with trauma heal. As I continued to read, I couldn't get enough and I was blown away by the stories and the courage it might take on to fully open up and express themselves. I like how you said, "We should feel comfortable expressing fully our emotions in more places that simply on stage". I honestly have never been much into theater, but after reading this text I definitely want to pay more attention!
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