Does recalling traumatic memories help in trauma treatment?
Psychotherapists in the 1990s adhered to the view that trauma treatment meant the recalling of traumatic events and holding the perpetrators accountable. This unfortunately led to patients being overwhelmed by a flood of traumatic memories, especially when they were not emotionally capable of understanding these memories. There were many incidences of patients feeling worse after the disclosure of these memories and increased tendency towards self harm, substance abuse, and suicidality.
Does confronting the perpetrators of the trauma help people?
If one thinks about it carefully, we can see these types of confrontations often end in retraumatization for the victim. If the individual was subjected to sexual abuse by a family member, confronting the family member would predictably result in denial and rejection.Confrontation and for treating trauma disclosure we're often not a desirable strategy in trauma treatment.
What is an alternative to revisiting traumatic memories?
Modern approaches to trauma treatment involve a much safer, cautious approach, delaying the focus on traumatic memories until the individual had the capability to feel safe in their daily lives and had sufficient affect regulation to tolerate the recollection of these distressing memories. The goal now is most often the stabilization of the patient and then from that base the gradual integration of the traumatic experience can commence. Stabilization is particularly important if the patient has resorted maladaptive coping mechanisms such as substance abuse and self harm.
Why is stabilization now considered important in trauma treatment?
The longstanding focus on recalling traumatic memories Has given to an increased focus on stabilization of the patient so that they can function more effectively in their daily lives and their relationships.
Does this mean I won't have to recall any of my traumatic memories?
What it means is that the recollection of traumatic memories does not have to be first and foremost in trauma treatment. For example , a traumatized patient who feels fear in their daily lives need not jump into the recollection of traumatic memories But the treatment can focus understanding what they are feeling in the moment and taking steps to prevent it from driving their behaviors. These steps include mindfulness techniques such as meditation and breathing And other techniques involving the calming of the body and mind.
A balanced approach in trauma treatment.
There is a balance to be had between traumatic recollection and disconnected numbness. Slowly, the patient can learn to make sense of their symptoms and their root causes. Ultimately, the goal of trauma treatment is to reduce suffering and to increase the quality of life of the individual.
Trauma and literature
The author J.D. Salingeris a master at writing about trauma. He experienced trauma while serving in World War II. His short story "For Esmé—with Love and Squalor" and his novel "The Catcher in the Rye" both are masterful works on the effects of trauma. The first involves trauma from combat while the second involves the mental deterioration of a young man who had lost his brother. Both stories involve the importance of relatedness and social connection to the healing of trauma.