Survivors of Childhood developmental trauma and adult interpersonal relationship trauma often feel the need to block or forget past traumatic experiences. What is a normal reaction to abnormal experiences; and can result in many instances of trauma becoming subconscious and unresolved. As we have already found; subconscious and unresolved trauma makes trauma even more difficult to navigate as it has the potential to manifest into maladaptive coping and secondary mental health issues on top of trauma symptoms which are already experienced.
It is a natural human Instinct to avoid pain (psychological or physical), however for a Warrior who has survived multiple complex trauma; either in developmental stages or later in adulthood – trauma blocking becomes an even more common tactic used in order to preserve and protect our own mind.
The emotional toll of individual event(s) may become too much to bear and manifest into avoidance of anything similar to past events. This avoidance behaviour – termed; trauma blocking – has the potential to cause individual issues in recovery; especially if left unresolved.
Trauma blocking is used by a trauma survivor to block out any painful, residual or overwhelming emotions perceived to be caused by original traumatic event(s). This behaviour can manifest as a protective measure where an individual may avoid certain stimuli altogether as a way of ‘forgetting’ the past.
Trauma blocking involves an individual attempting to dull and forget past trauma through (excessive) use of coping mechanisms. An individual who is blocking trauma may:
- Obsessively use social media – compulsively scrolling
- Using “down time” to binge drink, over/under eat (ignoring hunger ques)
- Compulsively exercise – have unattainable goals
- Remain within toxic relationships – long after expiry of relationship
- Obsessively/impulsively shop with no thought for budget and may lead to debt
- Become a workaholic – poor work boundaries – including being available 24/7
A survivor of trauma commonly uses accessible tactics to dull the intensity of pain within. This is usually an imperative issue with an addiction and reliance: trauma blocking will cause an individual to relapse when recovering from addiction or reliance on substances.
Generally speaking, an individual who is relying on substances to alter mood or memories (food, alcohol, drugs, prescriptions etc) will find the very memories they had successfully blocked out – return on becoming “clean”. The memories they have been using substances to block – return and causes huge Relapse rates as the individual builds at elements and requires more (of chosen substance) in order to feel “normal”. Over time, more substance(s) are required to dull the pain of the past and the cycle continues with a ferocity that is incredibly difficult to halt.
A survivor of trauma will numb the pain of the past in order to free themselves – however, as the brain has the ability to adapt and adjust; the compulsive behaviour begins to become necessary to continue and ceasing will cause an Avalanche of emotion to ensue. As time passes; the Avalanche grows and so we find prolonged trauma blocking to cause even greater issues as time progresses.
If course, trauma blocking behaviour will feel beneficial and effective at the time of using, one may be rewarded for overworking (bonuses etc) and receive momentary satisfaction. The gratification of such as relatively short-lived and as a positive feelings begin to subside, an individual must re-employ blocking behaviour in order to protect oneself from uncomfortable feelings or memories resurfacing.
The issue that is found in warriors who use trauma blocking is that temporary relief is felt from such behaviours and coping; the body and mind will continue to process the trauma in the background despite continued attempts to block the pain. Best war which pages within creates an absence of self reflection (including flashbacks, nightmares, panic attacks and intrusive thought) and although that is the intended goal – this absence of natural trauma reactions leads an individual to not fully process the event at its core.
In terms of recovering from trauma blocking behaviours – an individual must acquire awareness of such behaviours and how they manifest to maladaptive coping. What years of trauma would benefit from reflecting on the personal ways which blocking trauma negatively impacts ones life. Rating these Anna diary or log can switch the brain into reflection and make it easier to retain information to working memory. Once personal awareness has been gained; a survivor then has the opportunity to grow.
For a survivor of trauma who is recovering from trauma blocking behaviours; it can also be beneficial to plan in advance healthier ways to self soothe so when the moment comes in which a survivor may need to use search tools – they are easily accessed – even during anxious states. This is of course dependent on one’s ability to reflect on their own trauma blocking behaviours – for the individual using work to cope – they may plan; ” I will take 5 minutes to complete guided meditation when I am tempted to respond to a non-emergency out with regular working hours.”
As each individual trauma differs; each trauma blocking behaviour also varies and each reflection will be your own to navigate.
Finally, when coping and recovering from trauma blocking; it can be helpful to reflect on the prices you may pay by continuing trauma blocking behaviour and not dealing with the pain within.
If beginning this path or facing ones pain feels or seems too much – trauma informed therapists are helpful in guiding a warrior of trauma through reflection on each behaviour as well as helping deal with the pain of the past – asking for additional support is not something one should be ashamed of as it shows great courage and strength.
Our research group can be found here
Currently we are conducting research into the causes of trauma. I have included a link to the survey here : https://surveyheart.com/form/5f06e63b3ed8765392fe12d0
If you would be interested in taking part, please feel free. If you would like to share this study i would also welcome you to use the link, many thanks!