How Life Transitions Can Bring Up Past Trauma and/or Anxiety
How Life Transitions Can Bring Up Past Trauma and/or Anxiety
When a life transition happens, sometimes we’re left with the opportunity (whether we want it or not) to re-examine our life, our self, our situation, and perhaps a combo of the three or all of the above. Maybe it triggers some unresolved things from our past leading to old wounds being re-opened, and maybe we don’t understand the connection.
Life transitions, good or bad, are a change. Regardless of whether these changes are beneficial or hurtful, this means that a stress response from us will be elicited. Stress often gives us the feeling we aren’t in control which may trigger something from our pasts including anxiety (the fear of the unknown) or a reminder of a past trauma. What these things often have in common are a lack of feeling safe and in control.
Understanding Our Bodies in Relation to Trauma
Our bodies have a way of being and feeling connected to the environment around us. We’re constantly taking things in mentally, physically, and emotionally. Similar situations and stimuli can “trigger” old feelings or emotions, thoughts, and actions. It’s as if we “revert back,” in some ways, and this can feel like we are physically moving backward or like we haven’t moved forward at all. Let’s talk for a moment about how this happens because of the brain and its structure.
(I know, you didn’t want nor ask for an anatomy lesson, but here you go, I promise this will help it all make sense, and I promise to put it in “easy to understand terms!”)
The front of your brain and forehead, known as the frontal lobe, is responsible for your higher level cognitive thinking (a.k.a the part of your brain that can comprehend things, knows how to tell time, and is the rational Jiminy Cricket voice inside your head).
Within the middle of your brain is something called the midbrain, and this includes the 5 senses, the automatic nervous system (including fight-flight-freeze-fawn), and memory. An important thing to note is that these two portions, though they are next to each other, DO NOT communicate well with one another. The frontal lobe’s responses essentially have “shut down” temporarily and your midbrain is in control.
If we think about this in relation to pre-historic times, this means that the midbrain is responsible for our “survival response” and its main function is to keep us alive, regardless of rationality. This is how we differentiate between our “thinking brain” vs. our “feeling brain” or someone saying “Use your head and not your heart.” While cognitively, we’ve come a long way from pre-historic “caveman times,” and have perfected our thinking brain, we still haven’t found a way for the two parts to connect and talk to one another.
When we experience stress, (doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad stress) our midbrain comes into action. We’re taking in the info of our 5 senses, responding automatically, and storing this in memory. When our midbrain is activated, our frontal lobe sort of sits on the back burner because it is not needed right now to make any rational decisions.
Getting Our Brain and Body to Reconnect and Coping with Transitions
If you’re feeling “lost” or unconnected due to a life transition and feel like maybe some old wounds have been re-opened, that’s okay and completely normal. Something helpful during this time is to find something that helps you to feel connected to yourself again and to remember to give yourself grace and space during a transition.
Other helpful ways to cope with transitions:
Finding what realistically is in your control
Not shaming your “past self” for what your “present self” knows now
Finding familiarity in everyday life
Building and relying on a good support system
Begin Life Transitions Therapy in Miami, FL
You don’t have to feel lost and disconnected as a result of life transitions. Our team of caring therapists would be happy to offer support in navigating these times of change. You can receive support from our Miami, FL-based practice and across the state by following these simple steps:
Reach out to get matched with a Miami therapist
Get to know our team of caring therapists
Start receiving the support you deserve!
Other Mental Health Services We Offer in Miami, FL
Our team is happy to offer a variety of mental health services in addition to life transitions therapy. We also offer support for children, adults, parents, and families. Our services include therapy for grief, spirituality, trauma, and PTSD. Some of the techniques we use include ACT, CBT, and TF-CBT. All of these services are available both in person and through virtual therapy.
