8 Trauma Reactions

            Dr. Mark Laaser discussed eight trauma reactions in this week’s presentation: Trauma Splitting (Dissociation), Trauma Pleasure, Trauma Blocking, Trauma Reactions, Trauma Abstinence, Trauma Shame, Trauma Repetition, and Trauma Bonding.  Of the eight, I believe Trauma Splitting, or Dissociation, could be the worst to deal with.  Dissociation refers to the ability to briefly escape a traumatic memory by separating it from normal memories or current situations (Schiraldi, 2009).  It gives the person the ability to leave their body and become mentally and spiritually distant, or absent (Laaser, n.d.).

            Dissociating is only a temporary reaction, however, because the traumatic memories continually intrude into conscious thought and they cannot be put away for long.  Because it is not connected to present awareness, it cannot be processed and a variety of triggers may cause it to resurface (Schiraldi, 2009).  I have a friend who suffers from PTSD related to Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).  He experiences dissociation when triggered, and I can see in his face and eyes how he mentally “checks out.”  His face and eyes become void of emotion and he appears to have a “thousand-yard stare.”  This can last for a few seconds to several minutes, and when he “returns”, he acts as if nothing has happened.  He’s explained to me how clapping and other loud, sudden noises hand such as a door slamming, trigger combat memories.

            Spiritual healing from dissociation can be a journey, and it is a journey that should not be taken alone.  Just as Paul told Timothy, “Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus” (2 Timothy 2:3, NASB), no one should suffer alone.

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References

Laaser, M (n.d.). Trauma and addiction [Video file].

Schiraldi, G. R. (2009). The post-traumatic stress disorder sourcebook: A guide to healing, recovery, and growth (2nd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.