Recognizing Childhood Relational Trauma
This Table Talk happened on Monday, October 10, 2022
Trauma is not an event. It’s what happens inside of us.
Dr Moreen Rubin hosted an important morning in October (join VFED and watch the video on our website!) C-PTSD- not in the DSM- develops over time as a result of Emotional Neglect- this is the piece that isn’t about the food. It is less identifiable than abuse, and it leads to an inability to know and express one’s own feelings, a fear of experiencing them, confusion, shame, and a sense that pain will last forever. Avoidance behaviors such as an ED bring relief and perpetuate the belief that one doesn’t need relationships. Sitting w/ feelings cannot happen in this condition so it can all be triggered by a therapeutic relationship.
We studied how C-PTSD differs from classic PTSD. And though they may appear noncompliant, this is different from BPD which fears abandonment- these clients are afraid of the relationship. We looked at the neuroscience explanation for various ED traits arising from Emotional Neglect- because being scared and powerless changes the brain. And the comorbidity of SUD in this population. And did you know that the ACE Inventory (which we then took) was born out of an obesity clinic in the 80’s? As a bonus we saw the application of Virtual Reality (VR) Exposure Therapy that Mo now uses.
Ultimately, we learned the need to prioritize helping clients feel safe before we can do anything else, to rewire the nervous system to seek safety in others. Because feeling emotionally safe is the key. You have to “feel it to heal it”.
Many thanks to Mo and all who attended. We have such talent in these here Valleys!