Trauma and its various forms
We define trauma as any incident (or series of incidents) where someone felt overwhelmed and had no one they felt safe enough to talk to about the experience (e.g., due to circumstances, fear, or choice). Trauma experiences are multifaceted and unique to the individual. Consequently, traumatic incidents inherently cause a disruption in the survival response (i.e., ‘fight’ ‘flight’ and ‘freeze) and physiology in the survivor, leading to a multitude of symptoms and possible diagnoses.
Complex trauma can occur when an individual has experienced prolonged and chronic fear, overwhelm, and/or violation of their basic need for safety in response to the behaviours and/or words of their caregiver (or another trusted adult). Complex trauma can have lifelong, sometimes inter-generational, impacts on individuals, families, and communities, and is a significant, complex, and multi-faceted health crisis.
Dissociation and its disorders
Dissociation is an umbrella term used to describe the vast spectrum of ways the mind copes with extreme stress and trauma. Many people report experiencing mild forms of dissociation from time to time and these usually arise after having a stressful day or when the mind feels overwhelmed. Examples of mild dissociation include: Driving from A to B and having no memory of the journey, or ‘spacing out’ when watching TV.
However, if an individual is repeatedly forced into terrifying and traumatic situations where they cannot defend or save themselves, the brain may utilise moderate to severe dissociation, which can be separated into 3 categories: Depersonalization (e.g., ‘out of body experience’; disconnect when talking about difficult experiences as if it happened to someone else); derealization (e.g., feeling like one’s body, life, or experience isn’t real, or ‘like a dream’); and dissociative amnesia (avoiding physical or emotional pain by forgetting the event ever happened).
The most severe form of dissociation is known as Dissociative Identity Disorder, where the severity and frequency of the trauma experienced (usually during childhood) was so extreme that the only survival mechanism left was to separate the self in to parts that fulfill different roles to help the individual survive the terrifying, often repeated traumatic situation/s.
Grief and its complexities
The experience of grief can arise in response to a variety of life experiences, including: the death of a loved one; a relationship break-up/divorce; being made redundant at work; and the loss of a social or interest group.
The nature of someone’s grief, such as the intensity, duration, and emotions involved, is unique to the individual. It is most helpful to embrace and accept whatever your experience of grief is and focus on accepting however you feel in that moment, rather than fighting or avoiding it. Generally speaking, the most helpful way to get through grief is to give ourselves permission to feel sad and ride the emotional waves of grief, whilst trying to maintain a basic routine (e.g., eating, sleeping, and regular social contact).
However, it can be helpful to see a psychologist if the grief: Leads to lasting trauma symptoms (e.g., flashbacks, nightmares), has a prolonged impact on self-worth, leads to thoughts/plans for suicide, and/or carries with it strong feelings of guilt or shame.
Video Gaming and Internet Use
Gaming has been a part of Bianca’s life since childhood and she has seen both sides of the internet coin: The complex interplay between online games/apps/social media, keeping in touch with others, and meeting social needs, but also the ways these games are multiplying, becoming more accessible, and can take time away from other areas of life. As a gamer herself, Bianca is aware of the positives of gaming and how they meet the needs of millions of individuals around the world. Bianca’s honours and doctorate research investigated how internet/gaming use can assist adults with social anxiety to meet their social needs.
Bianca enjoys supporting gamers and avid internet users to understand their online behaviours, address underlying difficulties, develop additional hobbies and interests, and reconnect with their loved ones. Bianca also provides support to parents, families, and partners who may struggle to understand or connect with their loved one, especially when they are so often in the online world.
Contact us to book an appointment with Bianca.
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