Every journey is navigated with its unique boat.. distinctive and exclusive.
They manifest in various forms and patterns, occurring at different times and in different places.
Nonetheless, often protective mechanisms can turn into obstacles as they manifest reactions incongruent with the situation.. how so?
Take a trip down memory lane..
When you found yourself in a place reckoned by logic as: secure, with no presenting danger. Nevertheless.. feelings of threat, fear, and confusion were present within you.
When you find yourself either more impulsive, withdrawn, or immersed by your avoidant behaviors. In such a situation, your nervous system reacts in a way that contradicts logical reasoning.
Because of its position and function, it had a broader perspective on the situation. Your emotional state at that moment, recent and distant events, and details of your surroundings including the number of people, lighting, smell, and how crowded the place was...
These trivial details, known as stimuli, can trigger protective behaviors since they activate neural connections formed during moments of actual threat.
The nervous system is driven by the instinct for protection and survival.
When faced with danger, it enters a state of continuous alertness and vigilance, and becomes stuck in a loop of danger.
It works on seeking protection and is unable to perceive safety.
We refer to this entrapment within the loop of danger and safety as: the psychological trauma response. It disrupts various fundamental aspects of life, causing mood swings and the surfacing of physical symptoms.
Often, individuals come to see their identity as defined by their state of anxiety and alertness, or by their withdrawal and avoidance.
