Trauma, Triggers and Emotional Dysregulation: 10 Ways to Regulate Your Nervous System w/ Anna Runkle

Therapy in a Nutshell2 minutes read

Childhood trauma can alter the brain, causing emotional dysregulation and prolonged fight/flight/freeze responses, affecting work, home, and relationships. Self-regulation strategies, like those shared by Anna Runkle, can help individuals calm triggers, improve focus, decision-making, and overall health.

Insights

  • Childhood trauma can physically alter the brain, resulting in a heightened alarm system that can be easily triggered, leading to emotional dysregulation and prolonged fight/flight/freeze responses.
  • Implementing self-regulation techniques, such as breathing exercises and grounding practices, can help individuals with childhood trauma transition from triggered states to a calmer state, improving overall well-being, focus, and decision-making abilities.

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Recent questions

  • How does childhood trauma affect the brain?

    Childhood trauma physically changes the brain, leading to an easily triggered alarm system. The impact of childhood trauma can result in emotional dysregulation, where individuals may feel emotional, scared, angry, upset, or numb. This altered brain response can lead to the fight/flight/freeze reaction being triggered for extended periods, affecting daily functioning in various aspects of life.

  • What are the consequences of emotional dysregulation?

    Emotional dysregulation can hinder functioning at work, home, and in relationships. Individuals experiencing emotional dysregulation may struggle to manage their emotions effectively, leading to difficulties in communication, decision-making, and overall well-being. Recognizing and addressing emotional dysregulation is crucial for improving mental health and interpersonal relationships.

  • Who is Anna Runkle and what does she share?

    Anna Runkle, also known as the Crappy Childhood Fairy, shares 10 ways to self-regulate and calm down when triggered. Her insights focus on techniques and strategies that individuals can use to regulate their emotions and move from a triggered state to a calmer, more balanced state. By implementing these self-regulation practices, individuals can better cope with the effects of childhood trauma and improve their overall well-being.

  • What are common triggers for individuals with childhood trauma?

    Triggers for individuals with childhood trauma can include loud noises, sudden shocks, vulnerability, or emotional hurt. These triggers can evoke intense emotional responses and activate the fight/flight/freeze reaction, leading to feelings of distress, anxiety, or fear. Recognizing and understanding these triggers is essential for developing effective coping mechanisms and managing emotional dysregulation.

  • How can individuals regulate triggers and improve their well-being?

    Techniques to calm triggers and improve well-being include breathing exercises, grounding techniques, eating protein-rich foods, washing hands, taking a cold shower, and practicing self-soothing activities like hugging oneself. By learning to regulate triggers and implement these calming strategies, individuals can enhance their focus, decision-making abilities, and overall health. Developing self-regulation skills is key to managing the effects of childhood trauma and promoting emotional well-being.

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Summary

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Childhood trauma and self-regulation for healing

  • Childhood trauma physically changes the brain, leading to an easily triggered alarm system.
  • Emotional dysregulation can result in feeling emotional, scared, angry, upset, or numb.
  • People with childhood trauma may experience the fight/flight/freeze response for days or hours.
  • Emotional dysregulation can hinder functioning at work, home, and in relationships.
  • Self-regulation can help individuals move from a triggered response to a calm state.
  • Anna Runkle, known as Crappy Childhood Fairy, shares 10 ways to self-regulate and calm down when triggered.
  • Dysregulation involves irregular brain waves and body systems, common in those with childhood trauma.
  • Triggers can include loud noises, sudden shocks, vulnerability, or emotional hurt.
  • Techniques to calm triggers include breathing, grounding exercises, eating protein, washing hands, taking a cold shower, and hugging oneself.
  • Learning to regulate triggers can lead to improved focus, decision-making, and overall health.
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